Villare cantianum, or, Kent surveyed and illustrated being an exact description of all the parishes, burroughs, villages and other respective mannors included in the county of Kent : and the original and intermedial possessors of them ... / by Thomas Philipott ... : to which is added an historical catalogue of the high-sheriffs of Kent, collected by John Phillipot, Esq., father to the authour. Philipot, John, 1589?-1645. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A54665 of text R35386 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing P1989). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 2134 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 210 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A54665 Wing P1989 ESTC R35386 15272154 ocm 15272154 103337 2240951498

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A54665) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 103337) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1191:13) Villare cantianum, or, Kent surveyed and illustrated being an exact description of all the parishes, burroughs, villages and other respective mannors included in the county of Kent : and the original and intermedial possessors of them ... / by Thomas Philipott ... : to which is added an historical catalogue of the high-sheriffs of Kent, collected by John Phillipot, Esq., father to the authour. Philipot, John, 1589?-1645. Philipot, Thomas, d. 1682. [12], 401 p., [2] folded leaves of plates : ill., maps. Printed by William Godbid, and are to be sold at his house ..., London : MDCLIX [1659] "This work was published by and under the name of Thomas Philipot, who thus endeavoured dishonestly to palm it off as his own" -- DNB, v.45, p.162. Errata: preliminary p. [5]-[7] Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library. eng Kent -- Description and travel. eebo Villare cantianum: or, Kent surveyed and illustrated. Being an exact description of all the parishes burroughs, villages, and other respective mannors Philipot, John, 1659 417 351424 81 0 0 0 0 0 2.3 B The rate of 2.3 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2010-11 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-11 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-02 Sampled and proofread 2011-02 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

Villare Cantianum : OR KENT SURVEYED and ILLUSTRATED . Being an exact DESCRIPTION of all the Parishes Burroughs , Villages , and other respective Mannors Included in the County of KENT ; And , the Original and Intermedial Possessors of them , even until these Times .

Drawn out of Charters , Escheat-Rolls , Fines , and other Publick Evidences ; but especially out of Gentlemens Private Deeds and Muniments .

By THOMAS PHILIPOTT Esq ; formerly of Clare-Hall in Cambridge .

TO WHICH IS ADDED An Historical Catalogue of the High-Sheriffs of KENT : Collected by JOHN PHILIPOTT Esq ; Father to the Authour .

LONDON , Printed by William Godbid , and are to be sold at his House over against the Anchor Inne in Little Brittain . M.DC.LIX .

modern bookplate

To the Nobility and Gentry of KENT . My Lords and Gentlemen ,

I Have at last demolishd those difficulties which intercepted this Work , in that progress it endevoured to make , to offer it self up both to yours and the publick view . Yet I do not deny , in a Peice made rugged with so many knots , several Mistakes and Omissions must ( through Inadvertency and Mis-information ) have slip'd in ; some of which had their first extraction from the Presse , and some their birth from my Pen : All which I have collected into a Table of Addenda , which is immediately subsequent to the Preface , whither the Reader may retire to disperse all scruples .

Secondly , I have not added any Numerical Alphabet , to direct the Reader , since the Book is so Alphabetically digested , that the Work is a Directory Beam or Ray to it self : To which I have annex'd , as an Appendage , a particular Description of all the circumambient Kentish Islands .

Thirdly , I have not so tyed my self up to those severer Discourses which I have extracted from either publick or private Record , but that I have embroider'd this Peice with Discourses of a softer complexion ; as at Bilsington , I have unfolded the Causes of the Depravation of the ancient Clergy , both in Doctrine and Manners ; at Birling I have discovered the nature of that Tenure , Antiquity call'd Tenure per Baroniam ; at Ewell I have unravell'd the first Institution of the Knights Templers , and the probable causes of their total extirpation ; at Newington Lucies I have discours'd largely of Vrne Enterment ; at Rodmersham , no less of the Institution of the Knights Hospitallers ; at Werth I have treated of the Antiquity of Seals ; at Wymings Would , of the Ancient Dignity of the Pileus ; and have at several other places enterlac'd this Work with collateral Discourses of the same tincture .

Whatsoever this Peice may appear in the whole Frame and Bulk of it , I do assure you it was not born without your Influence , it is ready to die at your Command , and cannot live but by your Acceptance . But I know you have both Art and Candor ; and as I cannot but hope , but that a merciful Interpretation will be emergent from the first , so I cannot doubt but the last will give so noble an Allay to your Justice , that if it cannot totally absolve , yet it may at least excuse

( My Lords and Gentlemen ) The humblest of your Servants THOMAS PHILIPOTT .
A Table of ADDENDA or OMISSIONS . Courteous Reader ,

I Here represent to thy View those Mistakes and Omissions ( I mean the most material ones ) which I promised to rectifie in my Epistle ; those which follow are to be pardoned by thy Charity , or at least supplied by thy Candor . And first , Page 7. Line 36. for Beanors read Beacons . p. 8. l. 9. add had . l. 10. for this r. these . l. 11. expunge to it . In the List of the Lieutenants of Dover Castle . p. 14. after Sir Henry Heyman add Col. Algernon Sidney . p. 18. l. 42. for in Hundredo r. in isto Hundredo . p. 20. l. 19. add of . l. 44 & 46. for Robert Waller r. Robert Walleran . p. 21. l. 5. for Smerdlin r. Swerdlin . p. 39. l. 44. for required r. repaired . In Tottington and Eccless at Alresford . p. 47. l. 27. for of his Heir r. by his Heir . l. 29. for Ancestors r. Successors . In Nevills Fleet at Ash . p. 51. l. 23. for Ark r. Ash . In Fleet at Ash . p. 53. l. 16. add whom . Following an old Pedigree of Poynings I have at Easthall in Aynsford . p. 45. at Tottington in Alresford . p. 47. Northcrey . p. 108. Horsmonden . 190. printed that Tho. de Poynings matched with Joan Sole Heir of Sir Richard de Rokesley ; upon perusal of the Pipe-roll of the seventeenth of Edward the second , I find that this Sir Richard died and left two Daughters his Co-heirs , Agnes the eldest was wedded to Tho. de Poynings , and Joan the youngest was matched to Hugh de Pateshul . In Badelesmer . p. 56. l. 33. acknowledge r. acknowledgement . l. 37. his only Son r. his onely Brother . In Digges Court . p. 60. l. 7. an Appendage to it r. an Appendage to this Name . In the Description of Hartanger . p. 60. l. 31. this must be all added — passed it away to Richard Merywether , in whose Descendant Line the Title flowed with so even and undisordered a Chanel , that it is still wrapped up in this Name and Family . In Brabourne . p. 69. l. 26. following an old Glossary of Sidrach Petits , I have rendered 40 Ambras Brasii . forty Plates of Brass ; upon a second Review , I find that Ambras in old Record is the contracted word for Amphoras and Brasium signifies Malt , so it must be rendered forty Measures of Malt. In my desciption of Brabourne I likewise have omitted the Mannor of Combe , of which I now give this Account : Combe was anciently the Habitation of Gentlemen of that Sirname of considerable repute in this Track ; for Rich. de Cumbe , and Simon de Cumbe his Son , were assistants to Sir Jo. de Northwood when he was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth of Edward the first : the last of this Name was Will . de Cumbe , who dying without Issue Male in the reign of Rich. the second , his Sole Inheritrix brought it to be possest by her Husband John Scot of Scots Hall , from whom it is now devolved to Edward Scot Esquire . In Beausfield . p. 67. l. 1. for Henry the ninth r. Henry the eighth . l. 2. for Henry the fourth r. Edw. the third , and then add this — and then it came to be enjoyed by Malmains , and was resident in this Family , until Tho. Malmains dying without Issue Male his onely Female Heir brought it to swell the Patrimony of John Monins Esquire . In my Description of Bireholt in Brabourne . p. 70. l. 3. and an old Arbor Radicalis r. and as it appears by an old Arbor Radicalis . In my Description of Bokingfold in Brenchley . p. 73. l. 46 , & 47. for , but he being infortunately attainted in the fourth year of the abovesaid Prince , as being one of the Partisans of the Duke of Somerset , r. but he being infortunately attainted in the first year of Q. Mary , as being one of the Partisans of Jo. Dudley Duke of Northumberland , and the same Mistake is to be rectified in my Description of Bokenfold at Goudherst , where p. 173. l. 26 & 27. for John Seymour Duke of Somerset r. Jo. Dudley Duke of Northumberland , and then again l. 30. the fourth year of Edward the sixth r. the first year of Q. Mary . In Biddenden . p. 77. l. 28. for Sir Anthony Mayney Knight and Baronet , r. Sir Anthony Mayney Knight . In Bidborough . p. 78. l. 36. for conveyed it , r. conveyed the whole Mannor . At Wevering in Boxley . p. 90. l. 2. the twenty fourth of Q. Mary . r. the second of Q. Mary . In my Description of Dodingdale at Canterbury . p. 94. l. 13. John Bentham r. John Betenham . In my Description of the Dungeon at Canterbury , the same page l. 29. for par Cirocearum r. par Chirothecarum . In Chalk p. 96. l. 52. for , and that Prince afterwards devolved it to Sir George Brook r. and from that Prince it afterwards devolved by Grant to George Lord Brook . In Chilham p. 116. l. 12. to his Son Giles de Badelesmer r. to his Brother Giles de Badelesmer . In Dartford . p. 128. l. 19. for Edw. Darcy Esq ; r. Sir Edward Darcy Knight . l. 20. Will . Gough r. Will . Gouge . In Horsemans place at Dartford , the same page l. 53. for 30th year r. 38th year . l. 55 , & 46. Twislton r. Twissleton . At Newhall in Dimchurch . p. 131. l. 52. one and twenty Lords r. four and twenty Lords . In Clavertie in Elham . p. 140. l. 24. for Sir Henry Hamon r. Sir Henry Heyman . In Eightham . p. 141. l. 11. for one of the Lords of Holland r. one of the Earls of Holland . In Farleigh p. 150. l. 25 , and 26. for Thomas Floyd of Gore Court in Otham Esquire r. Mr. Robert Newton of London Grocer . In my Description of Blackheath . p. 163. l. 57. for John Tiler r. Wat. Tiler . In Egerton in Godmersham . p. 171. l. 7 , and 8. for Joan his Sole Daughter r. Joan his Daughter and Co-heir , for indeed so she was ; for Jo. Comin Earl of Badzenoth died and left two Daughters and Co-heirs , Joan was matched to David de Strabolgie , and Elizabeth was wedded to Richard Talbot . In my Description of Kingston by Barham . p. 205. l. 55. for to his Son and Heir Giles r. to his Brother and Heir Giles . At West-Halks in Kingsnoth . p. 208. l. 41. for his second Son r. his fourth Son . In my Description of Brising at Langley . pag. 212. l. 11. for Leven Buffkin r. Ralph Buffkin . In Apulton and Southwould at East-Langdon . p. 211. l. 5. for Edward the third r. Edward the second . In my Description of Leeds Castle p. 214. l. 8. for his Son r. his great Grandchild . In my Description of Goulds and Shepway at Maidston . p. 223. l. 8. for — to Sir Walter and Gervas Henley Esquire r. to Thomas Henley Esq ; leaving out Sir Walter . In Sheals at Maidston . p. 223. l. 45. for Walter Henley Esquire r. Thomas Henley Esquire . In my Description of Parrocks and Ewell at West-Malling p. 232. l. 19. for the last of which r. the first of which . In Hogshaws at Milsted . p. 239. l. 11. for Sir Jo. Took r. Mr. Jo. Took . In Milton Septuans . p. 239. l. 34. for Sir Thomas Fogge r. Sir Francis Fogge , and then l. 38. for Sir Rob. Honywood r. Mr. Rob. Honywood . In my Description of St. Mary Crey at Orpington . p. 260. l. 39. ( it came ) is left out , and then l. 41. Richard the second is omitted . In Gore Court in Otham p. 263. l. 54. for — by purchase made the Inheritance of Thomas Floyd Esq ; r. by purchase made the Demeasn of Nathaniel Powell Esquire , who not many years since conveyed it to Thomas Floyd Esquire . Since my writing this Book I find that Sir Walter and Thomas Henley his Brother purchased Land at Otham and Gore Court of Sir Henry Isley before his Attaint , that at Otham descended to the Successors of Thomas Henley , that at Gore Court devolved to Colepeper , who had married one of the Co-heirs of Sir Walter Henley . In Archers Court at River . p. 282. l. 53. this must be added — But part of Archers Court was by Bandred or Brandred in the reign of Edward the fourth conveyed it to Sir George Browne of Bechworth Castle , whose Successor Sir Thomas Browne alienated it to Mr. Isaac Honywood , who dying without Issue bequeathed it to his Nephew Col. Henry Honywood Esquire now proprietary of it : the Mannor of Archers Court with the Demeasn annexed to it holds in grand Serjeantie with this Condition united ( a strange one ) that the present Owner or Owners should hold the Kings Head when he passes to Calais , and by the working of the Sea should be obliged to vomit . In Swanscampe . p. 307. l. 42 , & 43. for the fourteenth of Richard the second r. the thirteenth of Richard the second , and then again the same page l. 45. this is omitted — who had before a considerable Interest in Swanscampe by Descent from his Ancestor Richard Tabot , who had married Elizabeth one of the two Co-heirs of Jo. Comin Earl of Badzenoth , and Joan his Wife , one of the Sisters and Co-heirs of Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Swanscampe . At West-Well . p. 355. l. 15 , & 16. for — and so it rested in the Crown , until not many years since it was granted to Sir Nicholas Tufton of Hothfied : r. — and was exchanged with Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by the Crown in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , whose Predecessors had a large share in it long before , but was again reassumed by Q. Elizabeth in the Vacancy of that Sea , and afterwards it rested in the Crown until almost our Memory , and then it was granted away to Sir Nicholas Tufton of Hothfield Father to the right honourable Io. Earl of Thanet now proprietary of it . There are some other Mistakes in this Work as at Uphery in Gillingham . p. 168. it is printed that Sir Henry Cheney exchanged that Mannor with Q. Elizabeth , and she passed it away to Sir Edward Hobby ; upon a second Review I find it was not exchanged , but conveyed by Sale in the sixteenth year of that Princess by Sir Henry Cheyney to Dr. Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls . At Potts Court in Babchild , Bradhurst , Queen Court in Ospringe , More Court in Reynham , Pitstock in Rodmersham , and the Island of Hartie , Samuel Thornhill r. Richard Thornhill , which Richard was Father to Mr. Samuel Thornhill , Grand Father to Sir Timothy Thornhill and Sir Io. Thornhill , and great grandfather to Col. Rich. Thornhill eldest Son of Sir Timothy , which Col. Richard is lately deceased , and Charles Thornhill Esquire , Son and Heir of Sir Iohn now surviving , whose great Grandfather Mr. Richard Thornhill , above mentioned , purchased Mere Court in the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth , and Potts Court , Bradherst , Quene Court in Ospringe , Pitstock and Hartie , in the thirteenth year of that Princess , of Sir Hen. Cheyney , and made his Son Samuel joint purchaser with him . At Pencehurst what I have written concerning the Mannor of Pencehurst Halymote . p. 270. must be retracted and altered , and read thus . Pencehurst Halymote alias Otford Wild was anciently held in Lease by the Successive Lords of Pencehurst , of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , as being a Limb of their Mannor of Otford , which Mannor being exchanged by Will . Warham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , with Henry the eighth , this being a relative Appendage to it , was added likewise to the Revenue of the Crown , and was resident in the Royall Patrimony until these times , and then it was conveyed by the State to Col. Robert Gibbons .

To his worthy Friend THO. PHILIPOTT Esq ; Upon his Diligent Survey of the Mannors of KENT : Entituled , VILLARE CANTIANVM . THou hast approv'd , Friend , by thy worthy Pen The Saying of that learned Sage , that Men Are not born for themselves : Our Friends do claim In us a share ; our Parents do the same : Our Countrey for a third comes in ; nay , it Boasts than the rest a more inherent right . How as a Friend , and Childe , thy Duty thou Discharged hast , thy more Familiars know ! This I affirm , that of his Countrey none Hath better merited than Hee alone . Lambert submit , and Weever too give place ; Nay , thou great Cambden stand aside : Alass ! You have but posted through our Countrey , and As if pursued , have fear'd to make a stand : Whereas amongst us He both born and bred , In every Hundred , Parish , House t' have led His whole Age seems : and 'mongst us to have liv'd Ere since from Records Rights could be deriv'd . Bold Briton then ! when 't is a Crime to be A Gentleman ; and when an Enemie He 's therefore thought , and in Arms to have been , In whose House Arms and Ancient Coats are seen : When Gules to him his Blood , Or his Estate To this hath cost ; when a true Sable-Fate From Painted Sables to a Third hath sprung ; Thou dar'st assert what others fear to own : Thou dar'st by thy more equal Pen unite ( What pow'rful Wrong hath oft disjoyn'd ) the Right Owner with his Possessions ; to the Son His Fathers Titles , and Dominion With care transmitting ; and the Heir dost tell How he his Clods derives : Couldst thou as well Instruct him how his Mannors to employ , As thou dost how , and whence he doth enjoy The same ; then Scorned Letters would at last Above Profaning Ignorance be plac'd : Nor hadst thou travell'd at thine own expence So many Miles ; but know thy recompense Is from thy self : whilest thou a Name dost give To Ancient Families , thine Own shall live . JOH. BOIS of Hode Esq ;
The Preface to the READER .

ANtiquity is the great Luminary of Time , which dispels those Clouds , that like a gloomy Skreen , interposing between the object and the understanding , cast it into Error and Misapprehension : And not onely of Time but of History too ; History , that faithful Register of things past , That great Informer of the present , and certain Prophet of the Future ; By it we may discover the Print which former Ages made , and treading that , know how to decline the crooked and Irregular Paths of Danger and Misfortune . Antiquity is like the lamp in Tullia's Urne , that representing to our view by Grains and by Scruples the Reliques and dust of our long-since expired Ancestors , which perhaps lay scatter'd in the Wilderness of their own Dispersion , erects a Monument to their Remembrance , so inaccessable to all the onsets and impressions of age and oblivion , that then onely it shall languish into Decay and dissolution when Nature her self , and Time , the moth of Nature , shall lye gasping in their own ruines , and the Universe it self shall confess its Ashes .

And certinly , amongst all those Trophies which antiquity hath fix'd upon the face of this Island , there is none more Copious , if we consider them for quantity ; nor more Conspicuous , if we represent them in their quality , than those that it hath left scatter'd upon the Continent of Kent : and this must be obvious to the most easie Intellect , when it shall discover that in all the Eruptions of forain Invaders upon this Island , the first track of that Thorough-fair hath been laid in , or very near , this County , by which they have farther penetrated into the Bowels of this Nation . We will wave that fiction of Brute and a partie of Fugitives ( originally ) as the Legend insinuates of Trojan Extraction , and discarded from Italy for some Misdemeanor there acted ) fixing here , as likewise that Series of the Kings Subsequent to him , being wholy obtruded upon us by seduced and misguided Histories ; the brain indeed of Jeffrey of Monmouth being both the Forge and the Anvill from whence those sparks brake forth at first , which made up that Ignis Fatuus after which the world so long hath wandered .

First then the Roman Eagles endevoured to surprize and seise on the Dominion of this Island , though they were once or twice so rudely grip'd by the Britains neare Chilham in Kent , and some of their noblest Plumes torn from them , that they were forc'd to fly back into Gaule to new impe their Feathers but breaking in again with a recolected and multiplied strength , the Liberty of this Nation stoop'd , and became a prey to their victorious Tallons , And now it was ordered that all Pleas , Escripts , Decrees , Edicts , and other things of publique Cognisance should be issued out in the Roman Dialect , that so the roughness of the Britains , which their warlike inclinations had so long entitled them to , might not onely by degrees be fil'd off , but that likewise being suppled and softned by the Roman Culture , they might without any regret or resentment support that load of slavery that sat so heavy on their shoulders , and so at last become wholy riveted and incorporated into the Roman Empire .

But this was onely in intention , for the accomplishment and perfection of it , was superseded by the Inroad of the Goths and Vandals into Italy , which like an Inundation in many signal conflicts had almost swept away the Imperial dignitie , and so torn the whole Bulk of the Roman Empire , that its very Spirit was ready to ebb out at those breaches . So that in fine , the Emperour was forced to retrive the Guards and Stationary Legions scattered o're this Island , with these like a new stock of spirits to improve and fortifie the Heart of the Roman Empire , which was ready to bleed out its life at those wounds that the hands of these Barbarous Nations had inflicted on it .

And now the spirits of the Britains ( a stronger Butteress against the Eruptions of the Picts than the Wall erected by the Romans ) being by the Engines of a long and habituated Servitude , cowed and broken into a degenerate Effeminacie , they lay open to all the Assaults and impressions of the insolent Invader ; so that they were forced either to resign up themselves to the fury and inclemency of the Sea , or else offer themselves up to the Rage and Barbarity of a Savage enemie : And now , being devested of all protection at home , and all hope of supply from abroad , being forelaid and intercepted by the Invasion of the Goths on the Empire , they made their addresses to the Saxons , a Martial People then inhabiting that nether part of Germany , which is washed by the Rivers of Elve , Weaser , and Rhine , who instantly upon Covenant and assurance of a vast Guerdon to ballance their services , under the conduct of Hengist and Horsa , embarqued for Britain and landed in the Isle of Thanet , and shortly after with such vigour and animosity repressed the insolencies of the Picts , that they shut them up within the Cloisters and Recesses of their own Mountains . But it might be said of them , as it was anciently of Religion ; Religion brought forth Riches , and the Daughter devoured the Mother : So these Saxons , from Assertors and Protectors of the Britains , became at last Invaders of them ; for they representing to the other Saxons the healthfulness of the Air , and the temperateness of the British Clime , who were over-stocked and cloyed with excess of People , and were willing to evacuate that surcharge of Inhabitants into forain Colonies , they instantly attaqued any advantage that might put them into Hostilitie with the Britains ; and pretending that that Compact so solemnely stipulated and transacted between them and Hengist was infringed and violated , they poured themselves in like a Cataract upon this Island , so that the Britains to secure themselves from the fury of this Deluge , after many vigorous attempts to make it flow back again , shut up themselves within the Solitudes and Recesses of Wales and Cornwall , whilest on their ruines their adversaries erected and fixed their Saxon Heptarchie ; which again , after many mutual encounters , wherein almost every Turfe of this Island was bespatter'd and bedewed with Blood , found a publique Tombe in the West-Saxon Monarchie .

But scarce was the Basis of it established , whose Ciment was so much Blood and Tears ; But God , who corrects the Ambitious by retaliation and chastises the insolencies of one Invader by casting another into Competion with him , put the Dane into Ballance with the Saxon , who like a whirlewind threw himself upon this Island so that all blooming Glories of the Saxon Greatness did wither and shrivell up , being suddenly nipt and blasted by this Northern tempest . I shall not discypher the long , many , and impetuous encounters between these two fierce Nations , with the effusion of Blood and the ruine and Depredation that discomplexioned every part of the Land ; indeed , they are of so disordered a Memory , and then so blended and confounded in the Persons , Times , and Places , upon which the Scene of these deformed Tragedies is intricately fixt , that it would be ( as one well observes ) another war to the Reader to over-look them . In brief , after a signal combat personally commenced between Edmund Ironside and Canutus , in the Isle of Atheleny , both armies on either shore , being Spectators , the Saxon Diadem was by reciprocall compact to be devided between them : which after the decease of Edmund Ironside at Oxford ; which , whether it were Naturall or Artificiall , is yet a controversie , wholly invested the Temples of Canutus .

But alas ! upon what a frail and incertain Pedestal is all humane greatness setled ? For the lustre of this new erected Monarchy had no sooner displayed its beams in Canutus , but like an unthrifty Taper it began to glimmer in Harold , and absolutely expired in Hardiknute , who dying issueless , the current of Royalty ran back again into the chanel of the Saxon Blood , which flow'd in the veins of Edward Sirnamed the Confessor ; who likewise deceasing without Issue , William Duke of Normandy upon a pretended Donation from the last Edward entitles himself to the right and interest of the English Diadem .

But this certainly was invail'd , for no Testamentary collation can ravell or disorder succession , which with an indissolueble link is chain'd and fastned to the nearest of Blood , and of which the Nation is to take the sole and proper Cognisance : ) And to assert his title ( which was fixt on the point of his sword ) he arives in Sussex with a numerous Army , to check whose farther Progress in this Island , Harold advances likewise with a considerable Army ( whose body had before evapourated its best and noblest Spirits at those wounds which it before had received in a bloody encounter comenc'd with Harold Harsanger King of Norwey : ) And nere that place where afterwards was founded the Abby of Battell , puts his claim to the Scepter , likewise to the Decision and Umpirage of the Sword , and after a fierce dispute found the Tombe of his new purchas'd Royalty in the carriage of this Field , upon whose ruines , William now a Conquerour , climbs up the Ascent of the English Throne .

His first design ( after he had scatter'd all those clouds of discontent that might have possibly have enwrapt the rays of acquired Majesty in some new umbrage , ) was to take a Survey of each mans particular interest and Patrimony , which was inroll d and recorded in a publique Register commonly called Dooms-day Book ; upon pretence , that from a generall computation of the Revenue of the Nation , he might discern what strength might be collected to intercept the violent attempts of any forain Invader upon this Island . But indeed to make a strict inquisition into the Forfeitures of the Lands of those that had been in Hostility under the Ensignes of Harold against him , that with those he might not onely endear and gratifie his Partisans , but likewise by reinvesting the chiefest of his adversaries in those possessions which were by their Enmity escheated , oblige them to maintain his Title and Scepter . Yet it is observeable , that he engag'd all those that had receiv'd any Lands or Demeasnes of him , either by any new concession or re-investiture to hold them in Escuage , that is by Knight Service , by which they were oblig'd whensoever either publique necessity or his Commands did exact it of them , to attend his Person , either actually or virtually , that is by Proxie with Horse and Armes ; and by this art he had always a power in reserve to repress and scatter all Solleviations or sudden Insurrections at home , and contradict all the Attempts and Animosities of Adversaries from abroad ; that so he might become considerable to his enemies , and usefull to his Friends . Thus have I compendiously wound up the severall Invasions made on this Island , in which Kent was so much concern'd . But there is another Invasion that I have not yet numbred , which hath been more ruinous and distructive to the noblest Families of this Island than any of those above recited : and that is the Riot and Excess , that like an Infectious Cloud , whose noysome wombe drops nothing but disease and Pestelence , hath lately broke in upon this Nation , and so withered the Root of the most ancient Gentry , that they have shrunk into their own ruines , and faln negelcted and forgotten : Indeed our modern Luxury is like the Poyson of the Viper , it blasts invisibly , and distroys insensibly , and they that are softned with it are like a Tree , that feeds those wormes that must devoure it ; or like Iron , that supplyes that rust which will corode it . Indeed 't is observable , that those Families have continued in their splendor longer whose seats and habitations have engag'd them to a remoter distance from the Verge and Sphere of the City , than those whose Revenue and Patrimonie hath confin'd upon a place infected with so much Debaucherie , and let loose into so great excess . Yet , 't is remarkable that the cadets , or younger slips issued out from some of those stems , who by their own vitious exorbitancie have crumbled into an inreparable decay , by being inoculated upon other Families , have by this transplantation contracted newsap and verdure , and again sprouted out and florish'd . For Families are like the River of Arethusa , they sometimes sink in one place or County , and again rise in another .

I shall now take the County of Kent under Survey or Prospect , and represent to the publique view , those several Antiquities which in my search I found to lie wrapt up either in common Records , or shut up in the private Muniments , Escripts , and Registers of particular Families ; from whom I have endevour'd to pluck off the veil that they may for the future stand as an Alphabet to point out those Families that are yet in being , that are totally exinguish'd or that lye entomb'd in other Names and Extractions , which by Mariage have swallowed up the Heir generall : In the pursuit of which I confess I have not cloister'd my self up in the nice restraints of any precise or particular Method , because that flood , both of private and publique inteligence , which like a Torrent broke in upon me , swept away whatsoever my busie fancy had built upon the sands of any curious or Methodical invention ; But 't is here , as in some Rivers who though they wander in a crooked and irregular chanell , yet are they the same Streames still , as long as they hold correspondence with their first Fountain and original .

I shall remit all to the Justice and Candor of the Reader , with the first he may arraigne and censure , with the last absolve and excuse

Thomas Philipott .
VILLARE CANTIANVM : OR KENT Surveyed and Illustrated .

KENT , in Latine Cantium , hath its derivation from Cant , which imports a piece of Land thrust into a Nook or Angle : and certainly the situation hath an Aspect upon the Name , and makes its etymologie authentick . It is divided into five Laths . viz. St. Augustins , Shepway , Scray , Aylesford , and Sutton at Hone ; and these again are subdivided into their several Bailywicks ; as namely St. Augustins comprehends

Bredge , which contains these Hundreds : 1 Ringesloe 2 Blengate 3 Whitstaple 4 West-gate 5 Downhamford 6 Preston 7 Bredge & Petham 8 Kinghamford and Eastrie , which contains these : 1 Wingham 2 Eastrie 3 Corniloe 4 Bewesborough

Shepway is divided into Stowting , and that into these Hundreds : 1 Folkstone 2 Lovingberg 3 Stowting 4 Heane and Shepway into these : 1 Bircholt Franchise 2 Streat 3 Worth 4 Newchuch 5 Ham 6 Langport 7 St. Martins 8 Aloes Bridge 9 Oxney

Scray is distinguished into Milton Comprehends 1 Mylton 2 Tenham Scray 1 Feversham 2 Becton under Blean 3 Felborough Chart and Longbridg 1 Wye 2 Birch-Holt Barony 3 Chart and Long-bridge 4 Cale-hill Seven Hundreds 1 Blackbourn 2 Tenderden 3 Barkley 4 Cranbrook 5 Rolvenden 6 Selbrightenden 7 Great Bernfeild .

Alresford is resolv'd into Eyhorn is divided into 1 Eyhorn 2 Maidstone 3 Gillingham and 4 Chetham Hoo 1 Hoo 2 Shamell 3 Toltingtrough 4 Larkfield 5 Wrotham and Twyford 1 Twyford 2 Littlefield 3 Lowy of Tunbridge 4 Brenchly & Hormonden . 5 Marden 6 Little Bernfield 7 Wallingston

Sutton at Hone does only comprehend the Bailywick of Sutton at Hone , and that layes claim to these HUNDREDS .

1 Axstane 2 Little and Lesnes 3 Blackheath 4 Bromely and Bekenham . 5 Dartford and Wilmington . 6 Rooksley 7 Codsheath 8 Somerden 9 Westram

These Hundreds were parcel'd out into such a proportion or number of Boroughs , Villages or Tythings , containing ten Housholders , whereof ( as the Saxon Laws and Customes informe us , ) if any one should commit an unlawful Act , the other nine were to attach and bring him to Reason . If he fled , thirty one dayes were enjoyn'd him to appear : if in the mean time apprehended , he was forc'd to restore the Damage done ; otherwise the Free-borough-head ( that is to say the Tythingman ) was to take with him two of the same Village , and out of three other Villages next adjoyning as many ( that is , the Tythingman and two other of the Principal men ) and before the Officers of that Hundred purge himself and the Village of the fact , restoring the Damage done , with the Goods of the Malefactor ; which if they sufficed not to satisfie , the Free-borough or Tythingman must make up the rest , and besides take an oath to be no way accessary to the Fact ; and to produce the offender , if by any means they could recover him , or know where he were . Besides , every Lord and Master stood Borough for all his Family , whereof if any servant were cal'd in question , the Master was to see him answer it in the HUNDRED where he was accus'd ; if he fled , the Master was to resigne such goods as he had to the King : If himself were accus'd to be aiding or privy to his Servants flight , he was to clear himself by five men , otherwise to forfeit all his Goods to the King , and his man to be Outlawed . These Links thus intermutually fastned , made formerly so strong a chain to hold the whole frame of the State together in Peace and order , as all the mingled policies upon Earth , all the inter-leagued Societies of Men cannot represent a straiter Form of combination .

As touching the other Customes of Kent , they have been so fully discuss'd by Mr. Lambert in his Kentish Perambulation , that I shall not much insist in the discovery of them : only I shall something winnow the word Gavelkind , because from that it is pretended the Tenure it self is derived . First , it is suggested , that the word Gavelkind is amass'd together of three Saxon Monosyllables , that is to say , Goef ele Kent : but how this Custome should be originally established on three Syllables by the corruption of Time thus crouded and shut up in one word , is altogether ambiguous and mysterious : For , if we shall unvail the word of its Saxon Habit , and put it into an English dress , it will signifie thus much , Give all Child ; and how much nonsense lurks in that expression , I think is easily discernable : Indeed the phrase should be , if we would attempt to spin any thing of advantage out of it , Goef ele Kendern , Give all Children , But how much of incongruitie and non-coherence lies wrapt up even in this , I beleeve is obvious enough ; yet admit there were none , how four Syllables all of different vowels in their termination , should at length by the depravation of Language be all confusedly shuffled and stiv'd into this one word Gavelkind , will certainly appear to the most easie apprehension disputable enough .

For my own particular , I 'm convinc'd ( with submission to cleerer speculations ) that this word Gavelkind is derived from the Saxon word Gabel , which in the Latin we render Census , and put into English signifies some Rent-Service , or Tribute issuable from such and such Land , on which it is fixt as a solemn evidence of some homage due to the Prince or supreme Magistrate , for that security which is received both in life and propriety by his defence and tuition . And certainly this is something proportionate to Reason ; for all Gavelkind-Land is held in the Tenure of free-Soccage , which is charg'd with this manner of Rent-charge or imposition ; and so in several Latine Records is represented under the Notion of Terra Censualis .

'T is true , that by the ancient custome of Germany , cal'd Land-Skiftan , the Lands of the deceased was by equal portions to be distributed amongst all the Sons ; but then it is as probable that this Tribute or Gabel did accompany it , because the most essential part of this Custome hath through the Channel of many hundred years flow'd down to this present Age , and is in force in sundry places in Germany at this instant : For though the Hernelickheis or Lordship , as they style it , descend Patrimonially per Jus Dominatus , by the right of Signorie to the elder Son , yet all the Land exclusiely from that is equally divided between the Cadets or younger Brothers , only returning some inconsiderable Rent-Service to the Prince , as a character of that Fealtie thy owe him for sheltring them in their several Patrimonies by his mutual support and protection .

Certain it is when Hengist transported his Saxons first into Britain , that Custome of Land-Skiftan was wafted over with them , and was by him allow'd to his Abettors and Partisans when they were invested in their new Acquists and Possessions in Kent , as all other Franchises and Immunities were , which before in Germany they were by prescription endow'd with , that they might more vigorously improve his designes upon this Island ; yet still it is possible he reserved out of those Demeasnes thus by Grant couveyed to his complices , some Annual Tax or Gabel ( though perhaps of a low and narrow value ) as a signal acknowledgement that the Superiority or Soveraignty was solely lodg'd in him .

There are two other Customes which are properly calculated for the Meridian of Romeney Marsh , and perhaps through inadvertency were not recited by Mr. Lambert , and they are these : First , the King had anciently no Wast there , and secondly he had no Wracks , but they were appropriated to those Mannors of the Mersh that confin'd on the Sea ; and surely if we fathom their original we shall find their foundation established on much of Reason . For first , how could the Crown entitle it self to any Wast there , where the Sea by its impetuous encroachments did engage the Inhabitants to cast up Mounts , and erect Banks in any place which they should find most proportionate to their defence against the fury of so formidable an adversary ? For the second , it is very equitable that they that are interessed in an expence of that vastnesse in which the Publique ( by the obligation of necessary consequences ) is so much concern'd and wrapt up , should have something of Emolument indulged to them by the careful Munificence of the Prince , to poise and ballance those important disbursements which the ill neighbourhood of the Ocean does oblige them to , in fortifying the Mersh with perpetual Defences and Dams against its assaults and eruptions . Having thus discovered something in relation to the Customs of Kent , before I advance farther into the Land , I shall represent what care our former Kings have embarqu'd themselves in , to secure the Sea , by fixing Sea-watches and other Military Guards upon all the Avennues and Inlets of the Coast , to represse and check the attempts of any bold Intruder , as if their own safety and indemnity were folded up in the security of this County .

Touching then Sea-watches upon the Coast , there are three Presidents , and a Mandate from the King to the Sheriff in a time of a more modern inscription for performing the like service . The first containing the watch by night in Record is styled Vigiliae minutae , which are due of right and custome to be made by the Men of certain HUNDREDS , as by the Title thereof , and the Writ for Execution of the same may appear .

The second concluding the Day-watch , hence called Wardan is arbitrary , and at the pleasure of those which in time of war and common danger had authority to appoint them , of these there are three examples , one of the 9 of Edward the 3. ( which I intend principally to trace , as being the original to the other ) which year he made preparation to invade France , and to vindicate his Title to the Crown , and the other the 20. of Edward the 3. in which year he sailed into France and triumphed in the Signal battail of Crescey .

The third describeth to whose charge several parts of the shore were assign'd for defence , in the 29 , of Fdward the 3. At what time he past into France and was victorious in the Encounter of Poictiers . It discovers also what parts of the Shire were to resort to the Coast for protection of the same . This order is arbitrary also , as they that in the Record are styl'd Rectores Comitatus ( that is , Lieutenants of the Shire ) shall think meet to appoint .

Warda assessa per Dom. Willielmum de Clinton omitem de Huntingdon , Johannem de Cobham , & Thomam de Aldon in Com. Cantii super Costeram Maris Anno Regni Regis Edwardi Tertii undecimo .

Videlicet , apud la Yenlade in Hoo. Prior Roffensis 8 Homines ad Arma. Philip de Pimpe 2. Thomas Malmains 2. Joannes de Fremingham 2. Stephanus de Dalham 2. Thomas Walran 2. Johannes Gifford 2. Henry de Gresford 1 Hominem ad Arma. Hobilers supra eandem Wardam . Rogerus de Escheker . Johannes Atford . Robertus Viane . Henricus Lomes . Robertus le-Fane . Michael Somers de Higham Jo. Mortimer de Clives .

Summa , hujus Wardae 13. Homines ad Arma , & 7. Hobilers .

Vigiliae minutae super Costeram Maris per Homines diversorum Hundredorum Villatarum sicut in antiquo tempore fieri consuevit .

Hundredum de Hoo 9. Homines ad vigilandum apud la Yenlade , viz. Hundredo de

Hoo 2. de Malling 1. de Shamed 5. de Deriford 1.

Vigiliae de Shepeia .

Juxta Feversham debent fieri de 33. Hominib us , unde de Milton & Merden 25. de Bocton 3. de Feversham 5.

Apud Denge Nesse per 12. unde de 7. Hundredis omnes . Apud Swale per 5. unde de Milton & Marden omnes . Apud Greistone per 12. Homines , unde de Whitstaple 1. de Blengate 3. de Kinghamford 2. de Westgate 2. de Downhamford 2. de Brugge 2. Apud Elmes per 6. Homines , unde de Sancto Martino 2. de Oxneia 1. de Aloes-Bridge 2. de Longport 1. Apud Broadhul per 6. Homines , unde de Street & Worth 4. de Newchurch 1. de Hamme 1. de Henei . Apud Sebroke per 12. Homines , unde de Longbridge & Chart 3. de Calehid. 3. de Bircholt 1. de Wye 5. Apud Sangate per 6. Homines , unde de Folkston 4. de Lovingborough 1. de Stouting 1.

Warda de Shepey apud le Swale . Humfridus de Norwood 2. Homines ad Arma. Thomas de Rokesly 2. Johannes de Morston 1. Hobilers super eandem . Laurence de Ottringden . Bernard de Punch . Jo. Fitz Richard .

Summa , 5. Homines ad Arma , & 3. Hobilers . Priorissa de Shepey

Warda apud Fordmer in eadem . 3. Homines ad Arma. Hobilers super eandem . Willielmus de Middleton . Bartholomeus Watton . John Peyferer de Shepey .

Summa , 3. Homines , ad Arma. & 3. Hobilers

Warda apud Werden in eadem . Abbas de Boxle 2 Homines ad Arma. Margareta quae fuit uxor Willielmi de Ore 1. Robertus Cheyne 1. Hobilers super eandem . Stephanus Bockland . Johannes Frendister . Johannes Er.

Summa 4 Homines ad Arma & 3. Hobilers .

Warda apud Mosehole in eadem . Prior de Leeds 3. Homines ad Arma. Hobilers super eandem . Rob. de Folkston . Bartholom . Savage . Thomas Savage . John Donkin .

Summa patet , viz. 3. Homines ad Arma , & 4. Hobilers .

Warda apud Ryde in eadem . Matilda de Idel 1. Hominem ad Arma. Domina Johanna de Bocland 1. Hobilers super eandem . Johannes de Bladechild . Walter de Wise . Rogerus de Norwood .

Summa , 2. Homines ad Arma , & 3. Hobilers .

Warda apud Greston . Joanna uxor Thomae Feversham 2. Homines ad Arma. Margareta Champaigne 2. Hobilers super eandem . Arnold de Eseling . Michael de Bromely . Robert At Berton . John de Esthure . Hamo de Herst . Johannes de Sobbing .

Summa , 4. Homines ad Arma , & 6. Hobilere .

Warda apud Tenet . Abbas Sancti Augustini 12. Homines ad Arma ; Magister Henricus de Shorne . 2. Homines ad Arma Hobilers . Thomas Posin 5. Henry de Stoners 6. John Shereve . Will . de Manston 2. Robert Sherve 3. Petrus Heyward 4. Warda apud Sandwich & Sanctam Margaretam apud Dale . Prior Ecclesiae Christi Cant. 10. Homines ad Arma. Joannes Malmains Miles 2. Nicholas de Sandwico 2. Johannes de Walmer 1. Joannes de Goshall 1. Nicholas filius Thomae de Sandwico 1. Thomas Chich 1. John Sandhurst 1. Tho. filius Johannis Retling de Retling 1. Hobilers . Henry Thornton . Rich. de Reting . John Soles . Thomas de Allen. Tho. de Goodneston . Henry Daniell . John Petit. John Foulmede . Henry Brudelond . John Sheluing . Edw. Staplegate . William Berton . Richard Godwin . Ric. Fitzbernard . John Betleshanger . John Erdoryard . Tho. Groting . Nigellus Whetare . Thomas Chelmi●n . Adhuc de Eadem Warda apud Walmer . Abbas de Langdon 1. Hominem ad Arma. Prior Sancti Gregorii 2. Prior de Dover 3. Abbas Sanctae Radegunde 3. Domus Dei de Dover 2. Abbas ne Feversham 2. Hobilers . John Penny . John de Polre . Will . Whitfield . John Fitz. John at Check , Thomas Perot . Rob. Grensted . Jacob Kinsgwood . Eudo Shillingheld .

Warda assessa per Dominum Willielmum de Clinton , Comitem de Huntingdon , Joannem de Cobham , & Thomam de Aldon , in Comitatu Cantii super Costaram Maris Anno Regni Regis Edwardi tertii undecimo .

Warda apud Denge Mersh . Henricus de Valoins , Miles , uum Hominem ad arma , Abbas den Reding unum , Joannes de Betham unum , Johannes de Beteringden unum , Stephanus de Fersham unum , Joannes de Winch unum , Margeria de Shurland unum , Isabella de Rokesley unum , Isolda Inge unum , Amicia de Cobham duos , Homines ad Arma , Joanna quae fuit uxor Walteri de Huntingfield duos homines ad Arma. Summa Hominum ad Arma apud Dengemersh 14. Hobilers super eandem , Willielmus Aleyn , Jo. Ellis de Dengemersh , Haeredes Roberti de Sharsted , Robertus Samson , Haeredes Roberti , Pysenden , Adam Henry , Adam William , Willielmus Thirbarne , Robertus Att Hall Thomas At Capell , Margeria quae fuit uxor Hamonis Colbrand , Thomas Browne , Jacobus At Capell .

Et quod unusquisque praedictorum Hominum ad arma habeat secum sagittarium bonum ( that is , a good Archer or Bowman ) super costaram Maris .

Et quod fiat signum ubique supra costaram Maris , & ubi necesse fuerit lebe elevetur cum Pitchpot , & non cum minuto ligno , quia hujusmodi signa magis apparebunt & longius durabunt .

Warda apud Denge Mersh per 12. homines de septem hundredis .

Warda apud Helms Kenell per 7. homines , unde de Hundredo St. Martini 2. de Oxney , 2. de Aloes Bridge 2. de Langport 1.

Warda apud Broadhull , per 9. Homines , unde de Hundredo de Street 2. de Hundredo de Worth 2. de Hundredo de New-church 2. de Hundredo de Felborough 3.

Warda apud Seabroke , per 12. homines , unde de Hundredo de Hamme 1. de Hundredo de Longbridg & Chart 3. de Hundredo de Calehill 3. de Hundredo de Bircholt , & de Hundredo de Wye 5.

Warda apud Leswale per 4 homines de Middleton & Marden . 9

Warda apud Sangate per 4 Homines , unde de Hundredo de Folkston & Longbredge 2. de Stouting 2. & de Petham 1.

Warda assessa super costaram Maris per Johannem Cobham , Rogerum de Northwood , Thomam de Brockhull & Willielmum Langley Vicecomitem post Pascham Anno Regni Regis Edwardi tertii vicessimo , Regni vero sui Franciae octavo .

Warda apud Denge Mersh .

Prior de Bilsington cum aliis sibi assignatis prout Nomina eorum particulariter sunt in praedicto veteri Rotulo scripta ad numerum 14. hominum Hobelarum ibidem quorum Nomina recitantur in praedicto antiquo Rotulo ad Numerum personarum .

Minuta Vigilia ibidem ( vid. ) per 12. Homines de septem Hundredis .

Custodes assignati super litora Maris periculosa per Rectores commitatus praedicti , scilicet Cantii 12. Die Maii Anno Regni Regis Edwardi tertii quadragessimo quinto .

Apud Castrum de Saltwood .

Dominus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis custodiat Castrum suum de Saltwood cum rationabili posse suo in Confortatione Villarum de Heth & Rumney ; & litora Maris juxta Sangate ajdacentia una cum auxilio Hominum Patriae illius juxta modum consuetum .

In Insula Taneti .

Abbas St. Augustini & prior Ecclesiae Christi Cantuarenfis , Thomas Chich , & Thomas de St Nicholao una cum Hominibus Insulae .

Apud Dale sue Dele .

Johannes de Cobham , Rogerus de Cobham , Willielmus de Cobham , & Thomas de Cobham , Milites apud Dele & illas Partes .

Apud Estrye .

William de Paveley Miles , Galfridus de Colepepper , Richardus Charles & Jacobus de Peckham , apud Eastrey versus partes Maris .

Apud Walmer .

Johannes de Criol , Prior Sancti Gregorii , Prior de Leeds , Abbas de Lesnes , Thomas de Morrant , & Henricus de Apuldrefeild , und cum Hominibu ; Patriae .

Apud Greiston .

Dominus de Say , Robertus de Nottingham , Willielmus de Apulderfield , Thomas Feversham , unà cum hominibus Patriae .

Apud Acrise respectu de Folkston .

Johannes de Clinton , Stephanus de Valoins , Johannes Berry , Radulphus de St. Leger , Arnoldus St. Leger , Thomas Travers , Milites ; Johannes de Brockhull & Johannes Fremingham cum Auxilio Patriae versus Dover .

Apud Yenlade .

Episcopus Roffensis & Prior Roffensis apud Yenlade in Hoo.

Apud Lidde & Promhill .

Prior de Tunbregge , Prior de Combwell , Prior de Bilsington , Johanne ; Colepepper , Johannes Diggenby , Rogerus Diggenby , Thomas Archeriges , Johannes Bynott , & Willielmus Horne , apud Lidde & Promhill unà cum Hominibus de septem Hundredis .

In Insula Shepey .

Abbas de Boxley , Johannes de Northwood , Thomas Apuldrefeild Miles , Johannes Raston , Willielmus Syme , Johannes de Manney , Richardus de Blore , in Insula de Shepey unacum Hominibus ejusdem Insulae nec non Hundredorum de Tenham , Gillingham , Middleton & Marden .

Before I shut up this discourse concerning Sea-watches , I shall represent to the Reader the Draught of a Praecipe directed to Gervas Clifton Esquire , Sheriff of Kent , in the 26. of Henry the Sixth , by that Prince , by which we may calculate the extent and Latitude of those commands he was to regulate himself by in his care and provision for the defence and Indempnity of this County against the eruptions of any forrain violence whatsoever .

Rex Vicecomiti Kantii salutem . Quia datum est nobis intelligi quod nonnulli inimici nostri super Mare se tenentes , regnum nostrum Angliae in diversis locis ingredi intendunt , &c. Nos malitiae suae obviare volentes , tibi praecipimus , firmiter injungentes , quòd statim visis praesentibus infra Balivam tuam taminfra libertates quàm extra , ubi melius & expeditius videris faciendum , ex parte nostra publicè Proclamari facias , Quod omnes & singuli Ligei nostri de Baliva tuâ , qui Vigilias apud Promhill , Helmes , Kenell , & Denge Mersh , ac in aliis locis ibidem adjacentibus & convicinis super Costeras Maris antiquitus custodire debeant & solebant , hujusmodi Vigilias in eisdem locis custodiant & custodire faciant : It a quod ( defectu Vigiliarum praedictarum ) sub poena forisfacturae omnium quae nobis forisfacere possunt , damnum , periculum aut gravamen nobis aut populo nostro non eveniat ullo modo & quòd Legei nostri Commitatus tui , Signa vocata Beanors in locis consuetis , per quae gentes de adventu inimicorum praedictorum congruis Temporibus poterint praemoneri , ponant & poni faciant : Et hoc sub periculo incumbente nullatenus omittatis . Teste me ipso apud Westm. quarto die Augusti . Anno Regni nostri 29.

Because there hath been frequent mention of Hobilers in the abovesaid discourse , I shall discover to the Reader a brief portraiture of them , as I have copied it by that Original which hath been pencil'd out by the learned industry of Sir Henry Spelman in his Glossarie .

The word Hobiler , sayes he , is derived from the French word Hobill , which imports as much as a light quilted Cassock ; and indeed all the Latine Records say they should be Wampasa armati , which signifies or denotes a Jack ; and in some parts both of Germany and the Low Countreys , at this day Wampas is us'd to express a Doublet or a short Cassock : and if you will know with what Horse they were equip'd or furnish'd for service , the abovesaid Author will tell you , that every Hobiler should be Mediocri eque instructus , & ad omnem motum agili ; a Horse of no great proportion , but light , and fitted for all manner of service .

Having represented to the Reader how sedulous the Princes of this Nation were in Modern times to secure the Maritime shores of Kent , which like a Girdle of sand almost invest this County , I shall now discover briefly and in Landskip how they were guarded , fortified , and preserved in times of an elder Inscription ; which discourse I shall marshall under the Notion of Littus Saxonicum .

diagram of Saxon shore
depiction of book F L INTALL COMORD P R

Faelix liber injustus notariis laterculi continens mandata ordine principis aut Primicerij .

OTHOMA DUBRIS LEMANNI BRANODVNVM GARIANA REGVLBIVM RVTVPIS ANDERIDOS PORTVS ADVRNI

This Comes littoris Saxonici was as Admirall of that time , and placed against the Maritime incursions of the Saxons , or those of the West part of Germany that were known most commonly by that name ; the charge or Impress of his ensigne was 9 Maritime Towns , but thus placed on the forme of the whole Island ; that which appeares in the Canton of the Banner , besides the Towns names is thus expounded by Pancirollus who notes them to be Sigles , and parts of words so well and commonly known in the Office of the Court of the Notaries , or of the Clerks of the Crown , that it needed not they should be more largely expressed ; the words he thinks are these , Faelix liberinjunctus Notariis laterculi continens mandata ordine Principis or Primicerū , which was the Master or President of the Clerks of the Crown : And for his Garisons he had under him MM. CC. Foot , and CC. Horse , with his Officers thus expressed

Sub dispositione viri spectabilis COMITIS LITTORIS SAXONICI per BRITANNIAM .

Praepositus numeri Fortensium , OTHOMAE , Praepositus numeri Tungricanorum , DUBRI , Praepositus numeri Turnacensium , PORTU LEMANNO , Praepositus equitum dalmatarum Branodunensium , BRANODUNO , Praepositus equitum stablesianorum Garianonensium GARIANNONO , Praepositus cohortis primae Vetasiorum , REGULBIO , Praepositus legionis 11. Aug. RUTUPI , Praepositus numeri abulcorum , ANDERIDA , Praepositus numeri exploratorum , PORTU ADURNI . Officium antem habet idem vir spectabilis COMES hoc modo , Principem ex Officio Magistri Praesentalium á parte peditum Numerarios duos ut supra , ex officio predicto Comentariensem ex officio superradicto , Cornicularium Adjutorem , Subadiuvam , Regerendarium , Exceptores Singulares Et reliques Officiales .

For the Maritim Townes within this Government are mentioned here , Othoma is conceived by Mr. Camden , and some other learned men , to have been in the Hundred of Dengy in Essex , in the same place or neer where St. Peters in the Wall is . And to this day doth not Brithlingsey a Towne adjacent , remain a Member of Sandwich , and under the Government of the Lord Warden of the Cinque-Port .

Besides the Testimony of sundry inquisitions of survey of the Lord Wardens Admiral jurisdiction ; Do they not crosse in direct line from the South-Foreland , which is by Margate in Thanet , and so turning up to Reculver , crosse the main Ocean to the Langrell Poynt in Essex , passing along St. Peters in the Wall , where this Othoma is said to have been , Dubris was DOVER : Lemanni or Lemannis ( which is Pertus Lemanni in Antonius , and Λιμὴν in Ptolmy , but not it seems as the word _____ is significant in Greek but as it was made from the British name ) LIME , or LIMEHILL in Kent , the place where Caesar landed when he Conquered Britain ; And doth not Shipwey ( the place where the Lord Warden of the Ports taketh his Oath upon his first entrance into that Government ) lye in LIME , and is yet within his Government as also Hyth , which implieth as much as Portus in Latine , that is , Haven , one of the 5 Ports adjoyning , and Stutfall-Castell at the foot of LIME-HILL , was it not a Fortress built by the Romans for defence of the Saxon Shore , Regulbium RECULVER , at which the water Genlade or Wantsum entered in , and passing by Sarre a place yet under the Lord Wardens jurisdiction , insulated the Isle of Thanet , Rutupis RICHBORROW near SANDWICH on the same Shore , and Anderida was situate near . NEW ENDEN in Kent , upon the river of Rother , that anciently passed by Apeldore , and disembogued it self into the Ocean at Romney ; one of the Ports upon the Saxon Shore , and under the Lord Wardens goverment ; Portus Adurni is supposed to have been Arundel . or Edrington near Shorham in Sussex , Branodunum is taken for BRANCASTER in Norfolk and Gariono or Gariononum for YARMOUTH both of them lying upon the Saxon Shore in Norfolk . And do not the Barons of the Ports injoy a Priviledge upon the said Coast , sending yearly two of their said Barons as their Bailiffs to joyn with them of Yarmouth , since they were incorporated in the Administration of publick Justice , during the free Fishing Fair , which thing they have used to do before ever the Town of Yarmouth was built . The Fortress where the Garrison appointed for the defence of this part of the Saxon Shore was resident , is now called Burrough-castell adjoyning to the River of Yare , as Mr. Camden hath observed in his description of that Place .

The Barons of the Ports did Anciently send 7 of their Barons Bailiffs to Yarmouth , and after reduced that number to 4 whereof 2 were sent to see justice and right done among the Portsmen that did Fish upon the Saxon Shore , where Branodunum in Norfolk stood , and in those times they continued 40 dayes , which since hath been reduced to 2 Bailiffs ; and their time of stay to 20 dayes , the Cerimonial of their entrance and reception into Yarmouth , continues some similitude of what is before expressed yearly upon the Vigil of St. Michael the Arch-angell ; the Bailiffs of the Barons of the Ports , with the Banner or Ensign of their general incorporation displaid , and of this form ride on horseback into the said Town , to the house provided for them , during their abode there ; and are to be received with civil and mutuall respect by the Magistrates of that Place .

The Officers Atending upon the Bailifs of the Barons of the Ports are these A Register , A Serjeant of the Banner , A Serjeant of the Horn , Serjeants at Mace .

Cinque Ports arms: three lions passant guardant conjoined to as many ships 'hulls

As for that Officer called the Serjeant of the Horn , be it understood as an ancient note of the Ports tenure by Cornage , from King Canutus time , by which , as the best Customals of the Cinque Ports inform me there Moots and publick Assemblies are summoned , Sonitu Cornu .

Having entred into a Discourse of the Cinque Ports , I shall take a farther propsect of those privileges they were invested with , from or before the Conquest , especially by that signall Charter , which was granted to them in the 20 year of Edward the first . First , then they were exempted from all Taxes and Tallages , that they might with more vigor and alacriry be encouraged and emboldened to attend the publique Service .

Secondly , they had Sac and Soc , Sac is a privilege to take Cognisance of causes either Criminal or Civil within their own Courts , Soc is a power planted in them to compel all persons which live within the Confines of their Liberties , to plead in their Courts , and from hence anciently they were called Socmanni , that is , Suiters to that Court , where they were forced to plead .

Thirdly , they had Toll and Theam , Toll was a Liberty of buying and selling within their own juisdiction , and a power to receive the Toll or Gabel imposed on commodities there vended . Theam is both a civil and coercive power or jurisdiction settled in them by Charter , over all those who are inhabitants of the Cinque Ports , or any of the limbs or members of them .

Fourthly , they had Bloodwith and Fledwith , Bloodwith is a power to punish the effusion of Blood ; Fledwith is an authority to punish those who having committed any misdemeanor or outrage , and seeking to secure themselves by flight , are again seised upon , and offered up to deserved Justice .

Fifthly , they had Pillorie and Tumbrell , Tumbrell was an Engine much resembling our Cucking-stool , and was instituted to restrain the fury of loud clamorous and impetuous Women .

Sixthly , they had Infangetheof and Cutfangetheof , that is a power to imprison , and upon just and legal evidence ( which is the Lanthorn of the Law ) to execute all those , though Forainers and Aliens which should commir any felony in places subject to their jurisdiction .

Seventhly , they had Mundbriech ; that is , a priviledge to raise banks and mounds on any persons land whatsoever , whose proprietie lay within their jurisdiction , to secure the common Interest from the eruptions and casuall Inundations of the Sea ▪

Eightly , they had Waives , called by a generall name in old Law-Latin Weveragium , and Strays Waives was a word of a common latitude , used to signifie all those things , either wandering Chattel , or other goods , which being waved or lost , and not claimed within a year and a day , were to be possest by those within whose jurisdiction they were seis'd , according to that of the Civill Law , Quae nullius juris sunt , & pro derelictis habentur , cedunt occupanti . Strays is a word of a more circumscrib'd and restrained sense , relating only to stragling Cattel ; to whom if none did entitle themselves by claim in a year and a day , their propriety was invested in those who possest them .

Ninthly , they had Waste and Strep , or Estrepment Waste was that parcell of common earth which by prescription and custome belonged to the Crown , but by Charter was enstated on them . Strip or Estrepment is a power granted to them to cut down Trees within their own jurisdiction , without impeachment of waste .

In the tenth place , they had the grant of Flotsom , Jetsom , Witsom : Flotsom were goods upon some visible wrack floating to the shore Jetsom , were goods in a storme thown over board to preserve the Ship , and sinking did again buoy up themselves , anr were again by the agitation of the waves thrown on the Strand . Witsom were goods driven to the shore , when there had not been for some space any wrack visible ; from whence they were anciently styled Goods of Gods mercy ; Wit , in old English importing as much as Misericordia in Latin .

Their eleventh priviledge was to be a Guild , that is a Fraternity or Combination of men that had all the Franchises of Court-Leet and Court-Baron annex'd to them ; as likewise they were endow'd with a power upon emergent occasions to improve the common interest , to lay Assessements and Taxes upon the Inhabitants of the Cinque Ports and their Members ; the word Guild being extracted from an old Latin word called Geldo , which signifies to tax .

Their twelfth Franchise was , to assemble at Shepway , which was anciently called the Portmote or Parliament of the Cinque Ports ; there they punish'd the infringers of their priviledges , and amerc'd all those who being Inhabitants of the Cinque Ports , or of those Towns which were circumscrib'd within their Jurisdiction , sued out of those Courts which were properly established to hear and determine all causes arising within their Liberties ; here likewise they had Authority , by Royall Concession , to make By-Laws and Ordinances , for the common good and profit of the Cinque Ports , and for the better Regulating ( as the exigency of Affairs might seem to exact ) the Herring-fishing at Yarmouth ; and that this Court in the power of it might appear to be the Counterpane of that great Original of Power , the high Court of Parliament , all appeals from the inferior and subordinate Courts of the Cinque Ports were transmitted and transfer'd to this of Shepway .

Lastly , the Barons of the Cinque Ports claim by inherent Custome and Prescription , which is grown up and confirm'd by a tacite consent between them and the King , to support the four Staves of the Canopy that covers the Kings Head at his Coronation , and after to dine at the uppermost Table in the great Hall , on his right hand .

There are other Franchises and priviledges circumscrib'd within the Verge and Circumference of the above-recite a Charter , as the taking cognizance of the Assize of Bread and Beer , and some others ; which because they are not of that importance or consideration as those which before were rehearsed , and moreover finding that they are calculated for the Meridian of many other Corporations besides that of the Cinque Ports , I have at present forbore any farther Recital of them .

Now if any one will enquire what the Cinque Ports were to act by way of recompence or retribution for these so solemn and signall Characters and Demonstrations of royal favour ; To this I answer , That they were to find fifty and seven Ships at their own Charge , for the space of fifteen days , to attend the King whensoever he should pass the Seas ; whereof Hasting was to find one and twenty , Sandwich five , Hieth five , Romney five , and Dover one and twenty ; each of which was to be furnished with one and twenty men , and a Garcion or Boy , the Masters stipend was to amount to 6● the Constables to a Sallary of the same value , and each vulgar Mariner was to have three pence per diem ; and if the obligation of affairs so requir'd it that they attended the King beyond the extent of fifteen days , then they were for the time following to be supported in their expences at the charge of the Crown . Now because the wisdome of after-times thought this too vast and burdensome an expence , to be solely and wholly sustain'd by the Cinque-Ports , therefore there were several other Towns and Villges that lay scatter'd in the Body of this Nation , that were made Members and Limbs of the Cinque-Ports , and invested and fortified with the same Immunities and Liberties , that they might by consequence be enwrapt and engag'd in the same common expence . The Names of those which are situated in Kent are as followeth : viz. Sandwich had the Addition of Fordwich , Sarre , Ramsgate , Deal , Walmer , and Stonor . Dover had Feversham , Birchington , St. Johns , St. Peters , Ridlingswould , and Folkstone . Hieth had West - Hieth . Romney had old Romney , Lydde , Promhill , Dengemersh , and Orwelston . Hastings and Winchelsey had in Kent as their Appendages , Bekesbourn , Grench , and Tenterden . As a L'envoy to the Cinque-Ports , I shall represent a Summary , or Bedroll of all those Persons of esteem that have had the Honour to have been dignified with the Title of Lord Wardens of the Cinque-Ports ; which Scroll or Register I have collected out of an ancient Manuscript , and are in their Series or Succession as followeth , viz.

1 John de Fiennes , 2 James de Fiennes , 3 John de Fiennes , 4 Walkelinus de Magninot , 5 Allen de Fiennes , 6 James de Fiennes , 7 Matthew de Clere , 8 William de Wrotham . 9 Hubert de Burgo , He that so stoutly asserted the Interest of King John , and the Castle of Dover likewise , against Lewis the Dolphin of France . 10 Bertram de Criol . 11 Richardle Grey , 12 Henry de Braybrook , 13 Edward then Prince , but after King by the Name of Edward the first ; and Henry de Cobham was his Substitute . 14 Henry de Monteford , 15 Roger de Leybourn , 16 Stephen de Penchester , 17 Sr. Robert Ashton , ibidem sepultus , id est Dubri . 18 Simon de Crey , 19 Hugh le Spencer , 20 Edmund de Woodstock , 21 Reginald de Cobham , 22 Bartholomew Ld. Burgherst , or Burwash , 23 John le Beauchamp , 24 Sr. Ralph Spigurnel , 25 Sr. Robert Herle , 26 Robert Earle of Cambridge . 27 Simon Burleigh , 28 Henry le Cobham , 29 Sr. John Enrosse , and in some Copies le-Rosse . 30 Sr. Thomas Beaumont , 31 Edward Duke of Aumerle and York . 32 Sr. Thomas Erpingham , 33 Prince Henry , after King Henry the fifth . 34 Humphry Duke of Glocester , 35 James Fiennes Lord Say , whom Jack Cade beheaded . 36 Edmund Duke of Somerset , 37 Humphry Stafford Duke of Buckingham , 38 Simon Montfort , 39 Richard Nevil Earle of Warwick , 30 Will . Earle of Arundell , 31 Richard Duke of Glocester , after Richard the third . 32 Sr. William Scott , 33 James Fiennes Lord Say , Henry in his Fathers life time after Hen. the eight . 34 Arthur Plantagenet Viscount Lisle , Natural Son to Edward the fourth , 35 Sr. Edward Poynings , 36 Henry Earle of Richmond , 37 Sr. Edward Guldeford , 38 George Boleyn Viscount Rochfort . 39 Sr. Thomas Cheyney , 40 Sr. Wil. Brook Lord Cobham , Hen. Brook Lord Cobham , 41 Henry Howard Earle of Northampton . 42 Edward Zouch Lord Haringworth . 43 George Villiers Duke of Buckingham , 44 Theophilus Howard Earl of Suffolk , 45 James Duke of Lenox and Richmond ,

Having discovered to the Reader a scale of those who were successively Lord Wardens of the Cinque-Ports , I shall now from Authentick Records and Registers represent a Catalogue of those who were substituted Lieutenants of Dover-Castle alterna vice under them .

Hugh de Montfort , Temp. Gulielmi Rufi & Henrici primi . Simon de Averenches Temp. Gulielmi Rufi & Henrici primi . John de Stoner , Temp. Gulielmi Rufi & Henrici primi . Alan de Heyton , Temp. Hen. 2 di . Henry de Essex , Temp. Hen. 2 di . Mat. de Clere Temp. Ric. 1 mi. Will . de Albemarle , Temp. Ric. 1 mi. Simon de Averenches Temp. Ric. 1 mi. Barthol . de Crioll , Temp. Ric. 1 mi. Tho. Bassett , Temp. Regis Joannis . Will . de Huntingfield , Temp. Regis Joannis . Will . de Wrotham , Temp. Regis Joannis . Will . de Brewer , Temp. Regis Joannis . Alan de Buckland . Temp. Regis Joannis . Sr. Richard D'angervill . Temp. Reg. Joannis & Regis Hen. 3 di . Bertram de Hells , Temp. Hen. 3 tii . Rob. de Burgherst , Temp. Hen. 3 tii . Rob. Walleran , Temp. Hen. 3 tii . Henry de Cobham , Temp. Hen. 3 tii . Henry Montfort , Temp. Hen. 3 tii . Roger Leybourn . Temp. Hen. 3 tii . Reginald le Viscount , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. Thomas de Insula , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. Rob. de Burgherst , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. Bertram de Crioll , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. Will. de Averenches , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. Rob. de Hereford , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. Joh. de Walde Walde wars chare , Temp. Edw. 1 mi. William de Lea , Temp. Edw. 2 di . Peter de Hanekin Temp. Edw. 2 di . John de Walde wars chare , Temp. Edw. 2 di . William de Scotten , Temp. Edw. 2 di . Nicholas de Crioll , Temp. Edw. 2 di . Giles de Baldelesmer , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Sr. Thomas Brockhull , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . William Barry , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Ralph de Valoigns his , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Robert Herle , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Andrew Gulford , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Peter Read , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Rob , de Wellesham bis , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . Roger de Wellesham , Temp. Edw. 3 tii . James Haut , Temp. Ric. 2 di . Sr. Richard Malmain , Temp. Ric. 2 di . Sr. William Walworth , Temp. Ric. 2 di . Sir Joh. Devereux , Temp. Ric. 2 di . Peter Wigmore bis , Temp. Ric. 2 di . John Clinton , Temp. Ric. 2 di . John Hakenthorp , Temp. Ric. 2 di . Arnold Savage , Temp. Ric. 2 di . Sir Richard Dering . Temp. Ric. 2 di . Sr. Rob. Berney , Temp. Hen. 4ti . Sr. Philip Lewis , Temp. Hen. 4ti . Andrew Boteler , Temp. Hen. 4ti . Richard Barrey , Temp. Hen. 4ti . John Mortimer , Temp. Hen. 4ti . Tho. Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundell , constituted Lieutenant under Hen. Prince of Wales , the 13 th . of Hen. the 4 th . Temp. Hen. 4 ti . & Hen. 5ti . Richard Nedham , Temp. Hen. 5ti . & Hen. 6ti . Sr. Thomas Keriet , Temp. Hen. 5ti . & Hen. 6ti . Gervais Clifton . Temp. Hen. 5ti . & Hen. 6ti . Richard Nedham , Temp. Hen. 6ti . William Keriell , Temp. Hen. 6ti . Richard Witherton . Temp. Hen. 6ti . Thomas Hextall . Temp. Hen. 6ti . Otwell Worceley . Temp. Edw. 4ti . John Greenfend , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Edmund Ince , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Thomas Guldford , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Edward Cobham , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Sr. John Scott , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Sr. John D'evereux , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Philip Fitz-William , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Philip Fitz-Lewis , Temp. Edw. 4ti . Philip Lewis . Temp. Edw. 4ti . Jeffery Lowther , Temp. Edw. 4ti . & Hen. 7 mi. Sr. Edward Poynings . Temp. Edw. 4ti . & Hen. 7 mi. Sr. William Scott , Temp. Edw. 4ti . & Hen. 7 mi. Sr. John Bourchier . Temp. Edw. 4ti . & Hen. 7 mi. Sr. William Scott , Temp. Hen. 7 mi. & Hen. 8 vi . Edward Thwaits , Temp. Hen. 7 mi. & Hen. 8 vi . Richard . Dering , Temp. Hen. 7 mi. & Hen. 8 vi . John Copledike , Temp. Hen. 7 mi. & Hen. 8 vi . Richard Dering ter. Temp. Hen. 7 mi. & Hen. 8 vi . Richard Dering , Temp. Hen. 8 vi . Edw. 6ti . & Regi . Mariae . John Monins , Temp. Hen. 8 vi . Edw. 6ti . & Regi . Mariae . William Crispe . Temp. Hen. 8 vi . Edw. 6ti . & Regi . Mariae . William Crispe , Temp. Regi . Eliz. Richard Barrey , Temp. Regi . Eliz. Sr. Thomas Vane . Temp. Regi . Eliz. Sr. Thomas Vane , Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Thomas Waller , Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Robert Brett , Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. John Brook . Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Thomas Hamon , Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. Hen. Manwaring , Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. John Hippesley . Temp. Regis Jacob. Sr. John Hippsley , Temp. Regis Caroli . Sr. Edward . Dering , Temp. Regis Caroli . Sr. Joh. Manwood , Temp. Regis Caroli . Sr. Tho. Colepeper , Temp. Regis Caroli . Sr Edward Bois , Temp. Regis Caroli . John Bois Esquire , Temp. Regis Caroli . Sr. Hen. Heyman , Temp. Regis Caroli . Col. Tho. Kelsey . Temp. Regis Caroli .

I might have been more copious in my Discourses of the Cinque-Ports ; but because I intend to publish a particular Treatise relating solely to their Immunities , and their just Right to take cognisance of the Fishery at Yarmouth ; I shall no farther insist upon this subject , but proceed . KENT , upon the first eruption of Hengist and his Saxons upon this Island , was represented by himself and his Partizans under that fair and noble Character , that after he had in many bloody Decisions broken the strength of the Britains , upon their ruines he laid the foundations of that greatnesse , on which he afterwards establish'd the Throne , by which he ascended to the height of Majesty , and was the first of the Saxons whose hand sway'd the Kentish Scepter ; indeed Cyning the old Saxon word implyes no more but one that is dextrous and cunning in the managery of the publique Affairs , and such a one was Hengist ; from whom the Series of the Kings of Kent , which I am now to mention , did as from their Fountain primitively stream forth : 455 1 Hengist , 488 2 Eske or Osca , 512 3 Octa , 532 4. Immerick , 561 Ethelbert the First Christian King , Founder of Christ-Church in Canterbury , St. Pauls in London , and St. Andrews in Rochester . 617 6 Eadbald , 641 7 Encombert , 665 8 Egbert 1. 673 9 Lotharius , 686 10 Edrick , 693 11 Wightred , in some copies Muthred , 726 12 Egbert 2 d. 749 13 Ethelbert the 2 d. 759 14 Alwick , who was slain at Otford by Offa. 794 15 Ethelbert the 3 d. Surnamed Pren , 797 16 Guthred , 805 17 Baldred , who in the year 827 lost both Life & King dome to Egbert .

Egbert having thus broken the Kentish Forces , and inoculated the Scepter of Kent upon that of his own , the Title of King was for ever entomb'd in the Ruines and Tomb of the slaughter'd Baldred ; nor was this County dignified with any Title at all , untill the Reign of Edward the Confessor , and then that Prince created Godwin Earl of Kent ; a man of so low and obscure an extraction , that the concurrent Testimonie of all Authors does affirm he was Bubulci Filius , the son of a Cowherd : yet notwithstanding , he made himself so considerable by his Eruptions on several parts of this Island by Land , and his depredations by Sea , that our English story swels with the rehearsal of his Acts of Devastation and Piracy . Now if you would know from whence the Latine word Comes deduces its original , that is , the Genus both to the French word Count , and the Saxon word Earle or Eorlederman , ( for that was the more antient term ; ) I shall in a brief Model represent it to you . The making of Counts anciently , as is affirmed by Trebellius Pollio in the life of Macrianus , was in Contubernium Imperatoriae Majestatis adsciscere , to take some select Persons into the Chamber and fellowship of the Imperial Majesty : that Tiberius had some such , is most certain ; for , Suetonius in his life mentions Comites Largitionum expeditionumque ; whose first institution is by Seneca in his sixth Book de Bene. Cap. 34. refer'd and ascrib'd to Gracchus and Livius Drusus ; they , saith he , apud nos primum instituerunt segregare Turbam suam , & alios in secretum recipere : and then again , Habuerunt itaque isti amicos primos , habuerunt & secundos ; and it is recorded of Alexander Severus by Lampridius , that Amicos non solùm primi ac secundi loci ( which were certainly those persons which he had separated from the vulgar masse of men ) sed etiam inferiores aegrotantes viseret . And Tacitus in his Book de Bello Germanice relates , that the Prince had duodecem Comites , or twelve Companions assign'd him , who transacted the great Affairs both of War and Peace ; from which Model it is probable the 12 Peers of France had their first original . In Ages of a lower step , these Comites were frequently call'd Reguli . In Cantia , saith Malmsbury , Omnis justitia laborabat sub cujusdam Gorongiregimine , qui tamen sicut omnes Reguli insulae Vortigerno substernebantur . Afterwards when Hengist had establish'd his Kentish Kingdome , the Title of Earl began to commence in Otho and Ebusa , Brothers to the abovesaid Hengist , as the same Malmesbury observes in his Tract de Gestis Regum Cap. 3. And the Title of Earl was anciently expressed by the word Comes amongst the Saxons , for to King Ethelberts Charter for the foundation of the Abby of St. Augustins , cited by Reynerus , there are these subscriptions , Ego Hamigilus Dux laudavi , and then , Ego Ocea Comes consensi , Ego Graphio Comes benedixi ; and there is an old Epitaph quoted by Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honour , the substance of which is this ; that Alwain which was Founder of Ramsey-Abby , was Comes & Aldermannus totius Angliae : but in decursion of Time , this word Eolderman being used by others besides those to whom it was proper and analogical , it began to languish into disuse , and the Title of Thane and Earl was assumed , which last hath remained in force untill this day : Now the relief of a Thane ( who was certainly an Earl by office , rather then Title ) if he were of the first rank , that is , had the custody of some County under the King , which he paid to the Crown , was four Horses two sadled and two unsadled : two Swords , and four Spears , and as many Shields ; And if he were of the second rank , he paid two Horses , one sadled and one unsadled , one Sword , two Lances , as many Shields , and fifty Marks in Silver ; sometimes , if he were a Thane of an inferior rank , he paid eight-pound , and frequently three-pound . The relief which an Earl paid constantly to the Crown after the Norman Conquest was ( as Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honour , does demonstrate out of severall Records ) was an Hundred pound .

Now the benefit which did accrue to the Count or Earl , besides a Barren and naked Title to support the dignity of his Person in its due Magnificence and Splendor , was the third penny arising out of the Profits of the County . Algar Earl of Mercland ( as Dooms-day Book informs us ) had the third penny of the County of Oxford , and the Borough of Stafford under Edward the Confessor . And Mawde the Empresse when she created Milo Earl of Hereford , assigned to him for the support of his Honor , the third penny of that County : Many examples of the like condition are discoverable in Mr. Selden's Titles of Honour , whither I refer the Reader . And as they had the third penny , so they had frequently the Castle of the County annexed to their Title , but when by experience the Kings of England were instructed how fatally pernicious it was to have so many local powers concurrent with theirs , that by the strength of their retreat , and the number of confederates and Partisans , seem'd even to out-poise the Royal Authority , it was by a Statute made in the 13 th . year of Richard the 2 d. for the future interdicted and prohibited .

Now if you will enquire when Earls or Counts from being absolute became Feudal , Sr. Henry Spelman in his Glossarie will tell you that it was Tempore Othonum , & sub excessu Merovinae stirpis in Galliâ , that is , about the year onet housand .

Now as concerning the Ensigns of Investiture , with which the Earl was created , it was anciently only with the Cincture of a Sword , but about the latter end of Edward the first , the Coronet began to be in use , for Aymer de Vallence Earl of Pembrook who died in the 16 th . year of Edward the 2 d. had one , as appears by an instrument of William de Lavenham , cited by Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honour , by which he acknowledges the receit of it from Sr. Henry Stacheden in the 12 th . year of Edward the 2 d. Richard Earl of Arundel died in the 49 th . year of Edward the 3 d. and by his last Will dated the fifth of December , gives his Noblest and Richest Coronet to his Son the Lord Richard Fitz-allan , his second to the Lady Joan his eldest , and the 3 d. he bequeaths to the Lady Alice his youngest Daughter .

What the Counts Palatine were I shall now demonstrate : they were taken immediately à Palatio , from whence they assum'd their name ; and were customarily such as had the nearest relation to the Prince , either by friendship or Affinity , and to whose care and administration , he did entrust such or such a Province ; and the more to improve and enable them in the discharge of their Duty , did unite some privileges and Franchises to their office ; as erecting Courts of Judicature , appointing Judges to sit in them , and determine by signal decision upon causes both Criminal and Civil , and others of the like nature , that were of that luxutiant latitude , that they had the Stamp and Character of something which resembled Regality fixt upon them . He that will discover by example more of this honorary Title may read Mr. Seldens Titles of Honor whither , to decline all superfluity of discourse , I refer to the Reader .

I have now done with the Title , I shall now proceed to unwind the Register of those who were Earls of Kent subsequent to Earl Godwin .

1067 1 Odo Bishop of Baieux , halfe Brother to William the Conquerer , Lord chief Justice , and Lord Treasurer of England . 1141 2 William de Ipre , 1227 3 Hubert de Burg Lord Chief Justice of England . 1321 4 Edmund de woodstock Son to King Edward the first . 1330 5 Edmund Plantaginet , 1333 6 John Plantaget , 7 Thomas Holland Earl of Kent , in right of Joan his wife , who was Daughter of Edmund of Woodstock . 1360 8 Thomas Holland , 1397 9 Thomas Holland Duke of Surry , 1400 10 Thomas Holland Lord High Admiral of England . 1461 11 Will . Nevill , Lord Fauconbridge . 1464 12 Edmund Grey , Lord Ruthin , Lord Treasurer of England , created Earl of Kent by King Edward the 4 th . 13 George Grey , 14 Richard Grey , 15 Reginald Grey , 16 Henry Grey , 17 Charles Grey , 18 Henry Grey , 19 Anthony Grey , Clerk , Parson of Burbage in the County of Leicester , Grandchild of Anthony 3 d. Son of George Earl of Kent above mentioned . 20 Henry Grey , 21 Anthony Grey Earl of Kent , now living , 1658. but in his Minority .

Having represented in Prospect the Comites and Consules , the Earls and Consuls which were originally to manage those Provinces subordinate to the Romane Government ; I shall now take cognisance of those which were anciently styl'd Vice Comites & Proconsules , and had care of the Provincial revenue ( in relation to which they were term'd Questores Provinciarum ) and the jurisdiction of some Causes only ( as our Sheriffs have of divers Actions Viscontiel ) and inquiry of Causes Criminal , but not determination of them . In the Saxon times they were sometimes call'd Ealdormen , and in Latine Vice Comites , which was applyed to them , not as they were subservient to the Earl , but as they administered justice when he was either dead or absent . 'T is true , if we dissect the word Earldom , we shall discover the last syllable : Dome is deduc'd from Dominion , and implies that the Marshal and Civil Government being anciently subordinate to Counts and Earls , there was some Analogy and resemblance in the Official Dignity of an Earl , and a Sheriff , and certainly the word Sheriff imports no lesse , a word contracted from the Saxon word Schyregereve , or Schyregrave .

The word is best interpreted by the Laws , intituled the Confessors , where we read thus , Sicut modo vocantur Greves qui super , alios Praefecturas habent ita apud Anglos antiquitûs vocabantur EALDORMEN , quasi seniores non propter Senectutem cum quidem adolescentes essent sed propter sapientiam : they were call'd anciently EALDORMEN , say those Laws , not in respect of years , but wisdome . And we find Henry the 3 d. made his Son Prince Edward the five last years of his Reign , Sheriff of Bedford and Buckingham . The black Prince was often Sheriff of Cornwall under Edward the 3 d. And Prince Henry in the life of his Father Henry the 4 th . is found to have been Sheriff of Cornwall , and it was done by these Sagacious Princes , with this intent , that their Sons , when they should ascend the Throne , might be more dexterous in the Course and Conduct of the revenue of the Crown . And as these Princes were invested with this Office , so we find both Arch-Bishops , Bishops , Abbots , Earls , and Barons held this Dignity ; nay , sometimes Queens and Countesses , Dowagers too , with an allowance of a Shire-Clerk , which after resolv'd into him , we call the under-Sheriff . And it was usual long since , as the Statute-Law now likewise asserts it , that the Census or Possession of some Demeasne in the County , admits a capacity to hold the office , and answer the King the Profits of the County ; otherwise , they are illegal and lyable to exception ; and in this respect , sometime the King committed four Counties to one man , if he were possest of Lands in them all , as Hubert de Burgo was at one time Sheriff of Kent , Norfolk , Suffolk , and Lincoln , and was allow'd a meet person to be his Substitute or Shire-Clerk in the ninth of Henry the third .

If any shall demand how long there have been Sheriffs under this quallified Notion , as I have before represented and pourtray'd them , I must remit them to King Alfred the Founder of Englands peace , and the divider of it into Shires and Provinces ; not to Gervas of Tilbury , whose definition of the Name is very deficient , making the office meerly suppletory to the Count or Earl , nor to Polidore Virgil , who being by birth an Alien , would obtrude a false opinion upon us , that the offices of the Chancellors and Sheriffs were instituted since the Norman Conquest ; For evidence to the confutation of him , we may read the Testimonies remembred by the most learned Selden , in the subscription of King Edreds Charter , to the Abby of Crowland there after Abbots , Dukes and Counts follow , Ego Afor vice Comes audivi . ✚ And in another Saxon Charter , to the same Abby there is this clause inserted , Ego Livingus Clericus istud Chirographum manu meâ subscripsi , & Domino meo Theroldo tradidi ; which Records do indisputably , I think subvert his Assertion .

The next Annotation upon our proconsulary Officer , is the continuation of those that in elder time held it many years together ; as for example , the Cornhills did in Kent , whereby their own Sirname was discontinued , and the officiary Name le Sheriff , & le Viscount swallowed up the other , and the relict of Reginald ( de Cornhill ) le Viscount , in a Concession of Land to the Chappel of Lukedale in Littlebourn , is styl'd in the Latine Instrument Vice Comitissa Cantii , and a Mannor of his in Minster in the Isle of Thanet , has from this Sirname obtain'd the Title of the Sheriffs Court . But when it was found inconvenient for one man to hold the place any long time , in regard of his Account , and other enormities emergent ; provision was made by Statute that none should serve two years together , but should be two years at least devested of the Office ere he served again in the same County .

Touching the Sheriffs Letters of attendance , injoyning all Arch-Bishops , Dukes , Marquesses , Earls , Viscounts , Bishops , Barons , &c. to assist him , it shews in Lankskip and Perspective afar off , the Latitude anciently of his authority ; but since the institution of Lords-Lieutenants , the Beams of his power have shone forth with a more dim and contracted light : So much shall suffice for the explication of its Name , as it is Officiary . Now a word or two how it became Honorary , because as from the Consul or Count , Time and Royal Authority hath extracted the Princely Dignity of Earl , which being for the most part enstated in elder times on the Kings kindred , hath caused the use of that addition ever since to all of that rank : So likewise the State and Degree of a Vicount , hath a participation of that Attribute , and are call'd Cousen by the Soveraign , and in the Scrutiny made by the Chancellor of the Order of the Garter at every Feast of St. George , during the time of Vespers , if there were any stall void ; A Viscount is admitted as the lowest degree of Princes . The first that under this Title had Parliamentary Dignity and Precedency of all Barons with us , was John de Beaumont created Viscount-Beaumont in the 18 th . year of Henry the sixth without any relation to the Office . The Circle or Coronet of this Degree being by its figure distinguish'd from an Earls , as a Marquesses is from a Dukes . They that would take an exact survey of the official part of this ancient Minister in all its Dimensions and Appendages , let them consult Dalton , who has very exactly and usefully discovered to the world all the Ingredients which make up this Office .

I shall before I proceed to draw out the Catalogue of the Kentish Sheriffs , represent to the world a summary List of Arch-Bishops , Earls , Bishops , and others of high eminence , which manag'd this Office , either personally or virtually ; as well in other Counties as in Kent . And first , Queen Isabel had the Sheriffwick of Cornwall divers years before her Husband Edward the 2 d. was thrust out of the world by an unnatural death , and some years under the Reign of her Son King Edward the 3 d. Margaret Widow of Edward Earl of Cornwall held this Office in the County of Rutland the five last years of Edward the first , and as many years in the beginning of King Edward the 2 d. And after the next three years Margaret the wife of Peirce Gaveston Earl of Cornwall answer'd King Edward the 2 d. the Profits of that County . Elizabeth Countesse of Salisbury had the County of Wilts committed to her Anno. 1216. the 21 of Henry the third , and John Dacus was her substitute .

William Earl of Salisbury was Sheriff of Huntingdon and Cambridge the 16th and 17th . of King John , and Sheriff of Lincoln six or seven years together : The Earls of Warwick were often Sheriffs of Warwick and Leicester-shire under Edward the 3 d. and also of the County of Worcester most part of that Kings Reign ; indeed the office of Sheriff was so frequent in that Family that it almost appear'd to be Hereditary to the Beauchamps : Ralph Earl of Chester was Sheriff of that County the first of Henry the third , and of the County of Lancaster the second year of the same King .

Walter Lord Arch-Bishop of York , was Sheriff of Nottingham the fifty fourth and fifty fifth of K. Henry the third , and Hugo de Stapleford was his Shire-Clerk ; Hillarius Bishop of Lincoln was Sheriff of Lincolnshire the ninth , tenth , eleventh , twelfth , and thirteenth of Henry the third , and Ralph Regnald was his Shire-Clerk . Hillarius Bishop of Chichester was Sheriff of Sussex and Surry the eight of Henry the second .

Richard Bishop of Salisbury was often Sheriff of the County of Dorset under Henry the third , and of Hampshire at the same time . Joceline Bishop of Bath , was Sheriff of Somerset under Henry the third , and Peter Bishop of Winchester the first eigth years of Henry the third . Walter Bishop of Carlisle was frequently Sheriff of Cumberland under Henry the third , and Robert his successor was often Sheriff of the same County under Edward the first ; and both of them had their Shire-Clerks . Walter Bishop of Coventry and Liechfield , was often in this office under Richard the first in the County of Stafford . Ralph Abbott of Michelen was Sheriff of the Counties of Somersett and Dorset the seventh of Henry the third .

Many more Presidents of this Nature could be unfolded , but I think these are competent Testimonies enough to discover both the Dignity and Eminence of this ancient and illustrous office ; only this may be deduc'd from these examples : That some Counties heretofore were joyned with their next Neighbors for ease of the service , as Sussex and Surry , Devon and Cornwall , Somerset and Dorset , Hampshire and Wilts , Warwick and Leicester , Cambridge and Huntingdon , Norfolk and Suffolk , Essex and Hartford , &c. most of which were separated by Queen Elizabeth and the rest taken in sunder by the late King Charles .

I shall now endevour to unravel the Catalogue of the Sheriffs of Kent , as I find them Registred either in the Pipe-Rolls , or other Evidences ; and I have as much as posibly I could , Recorded the places where they inhabited , which will much improve and inforce that light which I am to distribute to the world : in Relation to those places I am in my subsequent discourse to treat upon .

And first , I find Osward a Saxon held divers Lands in Kent , as Herst , Hagalei , Norton , Chert , Stepedon , with Tunsdal , and Tong , during the Reign of Edward the Confessor ; all which Lands were in the Conquerors Time , possest by Hugo de Port : This Osward also held Delce Hadon , Alneiton and Har & Sham. He was Sheriff of Kent under the Confessor , as appears by the prime Record of the Nation , Domes day Book , where speaking of Tarentford in Axtan Hundred it is thus entred , Homines de in Hundredo testificantur , quod de isto Manerio Regis ablatum est unum Pratum , & unum Alnetum , & unum Molendinum & XX. acrae Prati , &c. Dicunt etiam quod Osward tunc Vicecomes praestitit ea Alestano Praeposito London , & modo tenet Heltus Dapifer & Nepos ejus . Hamo and as frequently Hanno Lord of Marourd , in the Hundred of Littlefield , and of Blen in the Hundred of Whitstaple , and Lavinton in the Hundred of Downhamford , of Estursete ; Briested ( now I take Brasted ) Nettlested , Ditton , and divers other Lands in Kent , was Sheriff at the Time of the General Survey entred by the Conqueror into his Domes day Book . The Records of Christ Church , and the Deeds of the Hospital of St. Lawrence near Canterbury , prove that Hamo Son of Etardes de Crevequer , did in the Reign of Richard the first and K. John hold divers of the Lands , if not all above recited . He continued Sheriff ( as then was very usual during life ; which was enlarged untill about the middle of Henry the first , for in the year 10111 , which is the 11th of Henry the first , Hugh Abbot of St. Augustins granted Bodesham and Smethetum to this Hamo , Quod ipse ( as sayes the Deed ) si opus fuerit Ecclesiae & mihi , vel successoribus meis de praedictis in Comitatu , vel in Curia Regis contra aliquem Baronem , consulat , adjuvet , & succurrat exceptis Dominis suis quorum Homo manibus suis fuerit . At the same time this Hamo restored to the same Abby in the Town of Fordwich in this Form . Hamo Cantii Vicecomes & Henrici Regis Anglorum Dapifer timore Dei ductus reddo Deo , & Sancto Petro Apostolorum Principi , & Sancto Augustino Anglorum Apostolo , & Abbati Hugoni , & Fratribus ejusdem loci Villam de Fordwich . Hanc Donationem meam per Psalterium Sancti Augustini & per cultellum meum super principale Altare ejusdem Ecclesiae manibus meis misi , &c.

William de Aynsford was Sheriff of Kent , after Hamo in the Reign of Henry the first , for in the Chartularies of St. Augustin in Canterbury , I find a Transcript of the Kings writ thus , Henricus Rex Anglorum Willielmo de Aynsford salutem , fac juste habere Abbati de Sancto Augustino consuetudinem suam de Niwentonâ in Denariis Averiis & operationibus , &c. And the Deed from William Son to Henry the first is here entred , and imports as much as the former ; Willielmus Filius Regis Willielmo Vice Comiti de Kent salutem ; Fac recognosci per Homines Hundredi de Middletuna quas consuetudines in Villâ de Niventonâ , &c. This Family of Ainsford ended about Edward the first , and one of this Name was Sheriff of London .

Norman Fitz Dering was Sheriff of Kent , under K. Stephen , unto whom Queen Maud directed her Writ concerning some Land given by her to the Nun Helmida ad faciendam Domum suam in Elemosinam apud Fauresham post Mortem ejus ; Volo ( saith the Queen ) ut Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae de Fauresham pro salute Domini mei Regis Stephani , & meâ , & Filiorum nostrornm & Statu Regni nostri habeat praefatam Terram in perpetuum .

He and his Brother Godred Fitz Dering are Teste to a Deed of their Brother Osbert de Morinis ( so called because his Brother was a Fleming ) which Deed is Registerd in the Chartularies of Saint Augustins , wherein he to that Abby gives six Acres and an half of Land in Thanet , for the supply of a Light in the Chapel of St. Mildred ; within the Abby aforesaid ; Pro salute Animae suae , & Animi Uxoris ejus Ermelinae , & in Honorem Sanctae Virginis Mildrethae . This Norman Fitz Dering held Lands at Ashford , East Farleigh , Lese , Bircholt and Bedesham .

Rualonus or Ruallo de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent , in the first year of K. Henry the second , in the year of our Lord , 1154 , as appears by the Records of the Pipe Office , ( which I must now exactly trace ) where the Sheriffs Accounts are inrolled . His Seat was at Swerdlin in Petham , and sometime at Tremworth in Bocton Alulph .

Ralph Picot was Sheriff the second , third , fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh years of K. Henry the second . Adam Picot supplied part of the last year , and Hugh de Dover the rest .

Hugh de Dover descended from Fulbert de Dover , to whom the Castle of Chilham with the Mannor of Kingston and other Knights Fees were granted by K. William the Conqueror , in Defence of Dover Castle , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth , ninth , tenth , eleventh , twelfth , thirteenth and fourteenth years of Henry the second : His Residence was sometimes at Chilham Castle , and sometimes at Kingston .

Gervas de Cornhill was Sheriff of Kent the fifteenth , sixteenth , seventeenth , eighteenth , ninteenth , and twentieth of Henry the second . His Seat was Lukedale in Littlebourn .

Robert Fitz Bernard was joyned with Gervas de Cornhill in the twenty first of Henry the second : and after that year was expired , he exercised the Office alone till the thirtieth of the said Kings Reign . His Capital Mansion was Kingsdown near Ferningham .

Arnoldus , but of what Family is not yet discovered , was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth second of Henry the second .

William Fitz Neal was Sheriff of Kent the thirtieth of Henry the second : and Will . Fitz Philip was joyned with him . Where his Residence was is incertain .

Allan de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent the thirty first , thirty second , thirty third and thirty fourth of Henry the second . His Seat was frequently at Swerdlin in Petham , and often at Repton in Ashford .

Henry de Cornhill Son to Gervas de Cornhill above recited was Sheriff of Kent in the first , second and third years of Richard the first . His Seat was at Lukedale .

Reginald de Cornhill was Sheriff of Kent the fourth , fifth , sixth , seventh , eighth , ninth , and last year of K. Richard the first , and during the whole Reign of K. John ; and in the twelfth year of his Reign , John Fitz Vinon of Haring in Selling Juxta Hyth was joyned to him for Execution of the said Office in Kent . His Seat was at that Mansion in Minster in Thanet : Which at this instant from his being so constantly Sheriff , preserves the Appellation of the Sheriffs Court .

Hubert de Burgo that great subject , which was afterwards Earl of Kent , Constable of the Castle of Dover , and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , was Sheriff of Kent in the first , second , third , fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh of K. Henry the third ; during which Time one Hugh de Windlesore , whose Estate lay at Werehorn , was joyned to him as his Assistant . In the eight year of K. Henry the third , Roger Grimstone was joyned with him as his Assistant , and continued so the eighth , ninth , and tenth years of King Henry the third . In the eleventh of the said Kings Reign , William Brito was joyned unto Him and continued his Assistant in that Office till the seventeenth of King Hen. the third .

Bartholomew de Criol Lord of Ostenhanger , was Sheriff of Kent , from the seventeenth to the twenty fourth year of K. Henry the third .

Humphrey de Bohum Earl of Essex , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty fourth and twenty fifth of K. Henry the third : He was at that Time possessed of the Mannour of Bilsington in this County , as I find by a Fine levied by him of the said Mannour the twenty fourth of Henry the third .

Peter de Sabaudiae ( or Savoy ) being Earl of Savoy , and Uncle by the Mothers side unto Eleanor the wife of K. Henry the third , was made Earl of Richmond in York-shire , and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports : He dwelt in the House in the Strand , from him named the Savoy : He was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth of K. Henry the third , and Bertram de Criol was joyned with Him .

Bertram de Criol of Ostenhanger , in Relation to that vast Estate which accrued to him by matching with Eleanor one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Hamon Crevequer Lord of Leeds Castle , and of Matilda his wife , Daughter and Heir of William de Averings Lord of Folkston , was called the great Lord of Kent ; held the Office of Sheriff the twenty seventh of Henry the third , and John de Cobham was joyned with him that year : But the twenty eighth , twenty ninth , thirtieth , thirty first , and thirty second years of Henry the third , he held the Place alone .

Reginald de Cobham was Sheriff of Kent , from the beginning of the thirty third of Henry the third , to the end of the fortieth of Henry the third , and in the forty first of Henry the third , one Walter de Bersted was joyned with him in the Execution of that Office ; he died the forty second of Henry the third , and Roger de Northwood and his other Executors answered for the Remainder of that year .

This Walter de Bersted was Constable of the Castle of Dover the forty sixth of Henry the third .

Hugh de Monfort the Kings Nephew had the Custody of the County of Kent and the Hundred of Milton granted to him in the forty second of Henry the third , Pat. 48. Mem. 12.

Fulk Peyforer was Sheriff and Custos of Kent the forty third of Henry the third . His Seat was sometimes at North Court in Eseling , and sometimes at Colbrige in Boughton Malherbe .

Jo. de Cobham was Sheriff of Kent the forty fourth of Henry the third : He served the first Part of the forty fifth , and Robert Waller served the rest , and Walter de Redmarleg was under him . Robert Waller and Thomas Delaway under him held the Sherivaltie of Kent the forty sixth and forty seventh of Henry the third . His Seat was at Monkton in Thanet .

Roger de Leybourn was Sheriff of Kent the forty eighth of Henry the third , and Fulk Peyforer was Custos of the County the latter part of that year , and three parts of the year forty ninth . In the fiftieth year John de Bourn was joyned unto him , and so continued till the fifty second of Henry the third , and Fulk de Peyforer was Custos of the County again the last three parts of that year . His Seat was at Leybourn Castle in Kent .

Stephen de Penchester was High Sheriff of Kent the fifty third and fifty fourth of K. Henry the third , and Henry de Leeds was his Assistant or Shire Clerk . His Seat was at Pencehurst .

Henry Malmains of Pluckley and Waldershare was Sheriff the fifty sixth of Henry the third , and continued part of the first year of K. Edward the first , in which Office he deceased , and John his Son answered for the Profits of the County the first half year , and William de Hever for the other half year .

William de Hever of Hever Castle in Kent , was Sheriff part of the first year , and all the second year of Edward the first .

William de Valoigns of Smerdlin and Repton was Sheriff of Kent the third , fourth , fifth , and sixth years of Edw. the first , and the last year was supplied for part thereof by Henry Perot of Knowlton .

Robert Scotton was Sheriff of Kent the seventh , eighth , ninth , and tenth years of Ed. the first , in which year he died , and Robert his Son accounted for the remainder of that year .

Peter de Huntingfield , so named from the Mannour of Huntingfield , which he and his Ancestors held in Eseling in Kent , of the Castle of Chilham , by a whole Knights Fee ; was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh , twelfth and thirteenth of Edw. the first .

Hamon de Gatton of Throuley in Kent , was Sheriff the fourteenth of Edward the first .

William de Chellesfield , so named of the Town of Chellesfield , of which he and his Ancestors were many years possest , was Sheriff of Kent the fifteenth , sixteenth and seventeenth of Edward the first .

William de Bramshot , so named of a Town in Hantshire , of which he and his Ancestors were Lords ; was Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth and ninteenth years of Edward the first .

John de Northwood Knight , Son of Sir Roger Northwood Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Edw. the first , and for the latter part of the year Richard de Cumbe and Simon de Cumbe his Son and Heir served for him : In the twenty first year he was Sheriff again , and John de Bourn was joyned with him : Afterwards , in the twenty eighth year of the abovesaid Prince , as likewise in the twenty third year and twenty fourth year of his Reign , he was Sheriff of this County and held the Office alone .

John de Bourn had the Custody of Kent in the twenty second year , and then again in the twenty third and twenty fourth years of Edw. the first . Henry de Bourn his Father made a Purchase of Lands and Rents in Dodington of Matilda the Daughter of John de Dodington in the forty seventh year of Henry the third .

William Trussel was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty fifth and twenty sixth years of Edward the first .

Henry de Apulderfield of Apulderfield in Coudham , now contractedly called Apurfield , served the latter part of the twenty sixth year , but was Sheriff alone in the twenty seventh year of Edw. the first .

Henry de Cobham of Rundal in Shorn , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty ninth and thirtieth years of Edward the first , and for part of the thirty first year the Barons of the Exchequer appointed Elias de Morton of Dodingdale in Canterbury to serve in his stead .

Waretius de Valoigns of Tremworth was Sheriff of Kent the latter part of the thirty first , and then again in the thirty second year of Edw. the first .

William de Cossenton of Cossenton in Alresford , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth year of Edw. the first .

Jeffery Colepeper of Bay-Hall in Pepenbury , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty sixth thirty seventh , thirty eighth and thirty ninth years of Edward the first .

Sheriffs of Kent in the Time of Edward the Second .

Sir Henry de Cobham of Rundale in Shorn , formerly mentioned , was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of K. Edw. the second , and again in the ninth year of this Prince .

John le Blund of Sundridge in Bromley , descended from Peter de Blund , who was Constable of the Tower of London in the thirty fourth year of Henry the third , was Sheriff of Kent in the second , third , and fourth years of Edward the second : And dying in the fifth year of that Prince , when he was likewise Sheriff ; Edward his Son served our the Remainder of the year for him , and continued in the Office part of the year following .

William de Basing of Kenardington inrolled amongst the Knights of K. Edward the first , that merited so victoriously in the Wars in Scotland ; was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Edward the second ; and John de Haudloe the younger , of Court , at Street in Limne was joyned with him .

John de Malmains of Malmains in Stoke in the Hundred of Hoo , was Sheriff of Kent in the tenth of Edward the second , and part of the eleventh .

John Fremingham of Fremingham , was Sheriff of Kent part of the eleventh year of Edward the second ; and for three parts of the twelveth year , which he likewise serv'd , Henry de Sarden was united as an Assistant to him .

William Septuans Son and Heir of Sir Robert Septuans , whose Seat was at Milton Septuans near Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent part of the thirteenth , and intirely the fourteenth year of Edw. the second , and Henry Sarden was his Assistant ; He continued in the Office the fifteenth and part of the sixteenth year of the abovesaid Prince , and Ralph Savage of Milsted was joyned with him .

John de Shelving Son of Thomas de Shelving of Shelving in Wodnesborough , was Sheriff of Kent , part of the sixteenth , and part of the seventeenth year of Edward the second ; and John de Fremingham was joyned as an Assistant to him .

John de Fremingham was Sheriff of Kent part of the sixteenth year , intirely the eighteenth , and lastly part of the ninteenth year of that infortunate Prince Edward the second ; and Ralph de St. Laurence served out the Residue for him .

Thomas de Toniford his Attorney accounted for the Profits of his Office for him .

Sheriffs of Kent in the Time of Edward the third .

Ralph de St. Laurence whose Ancestors extracted their Sirname from St. Laurence in the Isle of Thanet , was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Edw. the third , and again for part of the sixth year of that Prince , which was supplied by Tho. St. Laurence his Son .

William de Orlanston , so Sirnamed from Orlanston in Rumney Mersh , was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Edward the third , and the next year following he continued in the Place ; and John de Shelving before mentioned was joyned with him .

John de Shelving was again Sheriff of Kent , in the fourth year of Edward the third , but died the same year , as the Inquisition taken after his Death doth evince , and John de Walmer supplied the Remnant of the year for him .

Roger de Reynham served part of the fifth of Edward the third .

John de Bourn before mentioned , continued in the Office of Sheriff of Kent , part of the fifth year of Edward the third .

Thomas de Brockhull of Brockhull in Saltwood , was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of Edward the third , and Lawrence de St. Lawrence was his Assistant for part of the year : but in the seventh and eleventh years of this Kings Reign , he executed the place alone .

Stephen de Cobham , of Roundale in Shorn , Son and Heir of Henry de Cobham , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth , ninth , and tenth years of Edward the third .

William Morant of Morants-Court in Chevening at the foot of Morants-Court Hill , was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth and thirteenth years of Edward the third , during his Sherivalty . This abovesaid Prince issued out a Mandate to him to take care that but one Bell should be rung in any Steeple towards the Sea-coast in Kent .

Henry de Valoigns of Repton in Ashford , was Sheriff of Kent the fourteenth year of Edw. the third , John de Merworth of Merworth Castle in Kent , was Sheriff of this County in the fifteenth year of Edward the third , and in the year following John de Vielston was joyned with him . This Family of Merworth descended from the St. Laurences , and took this Sirname from their Seat at Merworth .

John de Vielston of Vielston , now vulgarly call'd Vilson in Shorham , was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth , seventeenth , eighteenth , nineteenth , and twentieth years of Edward the third .

William de Langly of Knolton in East Kent , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first , twenty third , twenty fourth , and twenty fifth years , and part of the twenty six year of Edward the third , and Arnold Savage of Bobbing served part of the twenty third year for him .

John de Fremingham of Fremingham , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty second of Edw. the third , Richard Stone was for this Man part of the twenty first of Edward the third .

James la Pine of East-Hall in Morston , and Helburg in Reculver , was Sheriff of Kent part of the twenty sixth , and part of the twenty seventh of Edward the third which Stephen Brode served for him .

William Apulderfield of Bedmancore in Lingsteed was Sheriff of Kent part of the twenty seventh and intirely the twenty eighth year , and thirty first year of Edward the third , and afterwards executed that office in the thirty fourth , thirty fifth , thirty sixth , thirty eigth , and forty fourth of Edward the third .

Reginald de Dike of Shelvich in Kent was Sheriff of this County in the twenty ninth of Edward the third , he maried Lora Widow of Sampson Attleeze Guardianship of the said Sampsons Children , much improved his Estate , and purchased Lands in Shepey , Shelvich , and Rutlandshire ; He lies buried in an obscure Chappel on the North-side of Shelvich Church .

Gilbert de Hells of Hells in Wodnesborough , and of St. Margaret Hells in Darent , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirtieth year of Edward the third ; he was Son to Bertram de Hells , Lieutenant of Dover Castle under Reginald de Cobham .

Ralph de Fremingham of Farningham was Sheriff of Kent the thirty second of Edw. the third .

Will . Makenade of Makenade House in Preston by Feversham , was Sheriff of this County the thirty third year of Edward the third , and dyed that year .

William Pimpe of Pimpes Court in Nettlested , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty seventh , forty fifth , and forty ninth years of Edward the third , and dying that year Reginald his Son served it out for him .

Jeffery Colepeper of Preston in Alresford , was Sheriff of Kent part of the thirty ninth year of Edward the third , and intirely the forty seventh .

John Colepeper of Bayhall in Pembury was Sheriff of Kent the thirty ninth , fortieth , and forty third years of Edward the third .

Sr. Richard Attleeze of Leez Court in Shelvich was Sheriff of Kent the forty first year of Edward the third .

John de Brockhull of Brockhull in Saltwood was Sheriff of Kent the forty second year of Edward the third .

John Barrey of the Moat in Sevington was Sheriff of Kent the forty sixth of Edward the third . He was descended from Sr. John de Barrey that was in Being under King Richard the first , King Iohn , and Henry the third ; There be many Monuments of them in Sevington Church , which do illustrate their quallity , and frequent Testimonies of other nature that shew they were of eminent rank among the ancientest Gentry of this Shire .

Jeffery Colepeper of Preston in Alresford , Son of Walter Colepeper was Sheriff of Kent the forty seventh of Edward the third .

Robert Nottingham of Bayford in Sedingbourn was Sheriff of Kent the forty eight of Edward the third , and dyed the same year , and Richard de Southwell served out the year for him .

Nicholas at Crouch , so named from his Habitation neer the Crosse , was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of Edward the third . He had Issue Thomas-at-Crouch who having no Children , Alice one of his Sisters married to Iohn Petit of Shalmesford , and Isable the other match'd to Iohn Barrey of Sevington , became his Heirs .

Henry de Apulderfield of Otterpley in Challock was Sheriff of Kent the fifty first year of Edward the third , in which year that victorious Prince died .

Sheriffs of Kent in the time of Richard the second .

Thomas de Cobham of Roundall in Shorn was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Richard the second . William de Medmenham was Deputy to this Thomas de Cobham .

Iohn de Fremingham of Fremingham or Farningham was Sheriff of Kent the second year of Richard the second , and again the seventeenth year of that Prince .

Iames de Peckham of Yaldham in Wrotham was Sheriff of Kent the third , and then again the twelfth year of Richard the second .

William Septuans of Milton Septuans upon the River of Stoure , was Sheriff of Kent the fourth year of Richard the second .

Arnold Savage of Bobing Court neer Sedingbourn , where he had a Castellated House , was Sheriff of Kent the fifth , and then again the ninth year of Richard the second .

Thomas Brockhull of Cale-hill in Little Chert , was Sheriff of Kent the seventh and eighth years of Richard the second .

Robert Corbie of Boughton Malherb , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Richard the second .

Ralph St. Leger of Vlcomb in Kent , was Sheriff of this County in the tenth year of Richard the second .

William de Guldford of Hempsted in the Parish of Benenden was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of Richard the second .

William Burcestre descended out of the County of Southampton , was Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth year of Richard the second .

Richard de Berham Son of Henry de Berham of Berham Court , was Sheriff of Kent the fourteenth year of Richard the second .

Thomas Chich of the Dungeon neer the Walls of Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent the fifteenth year of Richard the second .

William Barry of the Moat in Sevington , Son of Iohn Barry was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth year of Richard the second .

Thomas Colepeper of Pepenbury , was Sheriff of Kent part of the seventeenth , and entirely the nineteenth year of Richard the second .

Nicholas Haut of Waddenhall neer Elmston where he dwelt , was Sheriff of Kent the nineteenth year of Richard the second .

Thomas St. Leger of Ottringden was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth year of Richard the second ,

Nicholas Potin of Queen Court in Ospringe was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first year of Richard the second .

Iohn Boteler of Graveney , contractedly call'd Graney , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty second year of Richard the second , which was the last year of that Prince .

Sheriffs of Kent under Henry the fourth .

Robert Clifford brother of Richard Clifford Bishop of London , was Sheriff of Kent the first year of Henry the fourth , and Robert Saunders was his Deputy .

Thomas Lodelow descended out of Wiltshire , was Sheriff of Kent the second year of Henry the fourth , but died before he had served out the year ; so that John Digg of Diggs Court in Barham , was upon his decease authoriz'd to discharge the said office for the remainder of the year .

Thomas Chich of the Dungeon in St. Mary Bredimans Parish in Canterbury , was Sheriff of this County the third year of Henry the fourth .

Richard Cliderow of Gouldstanton in Ash neer Sandwich , who was constituted in the Reign of Henry the fourth , Admirall of the Seas from the Thames mouth , along the Saxon shore to the West ; was likewise Sheriff of Kent the fourth , and most part of the fifth year of the abovesaid Prince .

Tho. Swinbourn Esquire , owner of much Land in the County of Essex , was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of Henry the fourth , and kept his Shrievalty at Thevegate in Smeth .

Michael Horn of Horn place in Apuldore , was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Henry the fourth .

Edward Haut of Hauts place in Petham , and of Bourn , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Henry the fourth .

William Snaith of Addington was Sheriff of Kent the ninth year of Henry the fourth .

Reginald Pimp of Pimps Court in East Farleigh , Son of William Pimp of Pimps Court , and Nettlested , was Sheriff of Kent the tenth year of Henry the fourth .

John Darrell of Cale-Hill in little Chert , eldest Brother of Sir William Darrell under Treasurer of England , was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of Henry the fourth .

William Notbeame descended out of Suffolk , where his Family was of generous rank , but whose Residence was at Ash neer Sandwich , was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , and in the seventh year of Henry the fifth was return'd amongst those who did Portare arma antiqua .

William Cheney of Shurland in Shepey , Son of Richard Cheney , was Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth year of Henry the fourth , in which year this Prince deceased .

Sheriffs of Kent under Henry the Fifth .

William Cheney above mentioned , continued Sheriff of Kent the first year of Henry the fifth .

William Cliford of whom mention was formerly made , was again Sheriff of Kent in the second and third years of Henry the fifth .

William Langley of Knolton , was Sheriff of Kent the fourth year of Henry the fifth .

John Darrell of Cale-hill above recited , was again Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of K. Henry the fifth .

Richard Cliderow of whom mention , was made in the fourth and fifth years of Henry the fourth , was now Sheriff again in the sixth year of King Henry the fifth .

John Burgh was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Henry the fifth ; During this mans Shrievalty there came a special Writ from the King , to elect out of the most fit and able Knights and Esquires of the County that bore Arms from antiquity , twelve of the most sufficient to serve as Lances for defence of the Kingdome .

William Haut of Hautsbourne , was Sheriff of Kent some part of the eighth , and all the ninth year of K. Henry the fifth .

John Darrell of Cale-hill , was Sheriff of Kent the tenth year of Henry the fifth , in which year that successeful and triumphant Prince paid the last Debt he owed to Nature , and the first which he owed to Sin .

Sheriffs of Kent in the Reign of Henry the Sixth .

John Darrell of Cale-hill , who was Sheriff of Kent when K. Henry the fifth deceased , continued Sheriff in the first year of Henry the sixth .

William Cheyney of Shurland , who was Knighted in the ninth year of K. Henry the sixth , was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of that Princes Government .

John Ryk●ld of Estlingham in Frend bury neer Rochester , was Sheriff of Kent the third year of K. Henry the sixth .

William Clifford of Bobbing , who had been Sheriff of Kent in the first year of K. Henry the fifth , was elected to take that Office in the fourth year of K. Henry the sixth .

William Colepeper of Preston in Alresford , Son and Heir of Sir John Colepeper , was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of Henry the sixth .

Thomas Ellis of Burton in Kennington , was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of Henry the sixth .

William Scot of Scots Hall in Smeeth , was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Henry the sixth .

John Peche of Lullingston was Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Henry the sixth .

John St. Leger of Ulcomb was Sheriff of Kent the ninth year of Henry the sixth .

John Guldford of Halden alias Lambin in the Parish of Rolvenden , was Sheriff of Kent in the tenth year of Henry the sixth .

William Bures who held much Land at Bromeley and Greenwich , and was descended from William de Bures who held part of a Knights Fee in Bromley , the twentieth year of Edward the third . At making the black Prince Knight , was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of Henry the sixth .

Richard Woodville of the Moat in Maidston was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of K. Henry the sixth .

William Clifford of Bobbing and of Shorn , of whom mention is made twice before , was now again chosen Sheriff the thirteenth year of Henry the sixth .

William Manston of Manston in the Parish of St. Laurence in the Isle of Thanet , was Sheriff of Kent the fourteenth year of Henry the sixth .

James Fiennes of Kemsing and Seal , afterwards created Lord Say and Seal , and High Treasurer of England , was Sheriff of Kent the fifteenth year of Henry the sixth .

Richard Waller of Gromebridge in Spelhurst , who took Charles Duke of Orleans Captive at the Battle of Agin Court , was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth year of K. Henry the sixth .

Edward Guldford of Halden in Rolvenden , was Sheriff of Kent the seventeenth year of Henry the sixth .

Gervas Clifton who married Isabel Widow of William Scot Esquire , and lived upon his Wives Estate at Brabourn in Kent , where he lies buried , was Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth year of Henry the sixth .

John Yerde of Denton near Berham , was Sheriff of Kent the ninteenth year of Henry the sixth .

John Warmer of Votes Crey , was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Henry the sixth .

William Maries who lived at Ufton in Tunstal , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first of Henry the sixth .

Thomas Brown Knight , Treasurer to the House-hold of K. Henry the sixth , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty second year of that Prince .

William Cromer of Tunstal , who married Elizabeth Daughter of James Lord Say and Seale , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty third year of Henry the sixth : This was that William Cromer who was barbarously assassanated by Jack Cade , whilst he vigorously sought to oppose that Rebell in his Expedition towards London .

John Thornbury of Feversham , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth year of Henry the sixth .

William Isley of Sundridge , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fifth year of Henry the sixth .

William Kene who lived at Well Hall in Eltham in Right of Agnes his Wife Widow of John Tatersal , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty sixth year of Henry the sixth .

Stephen Slegge of Wouldham near Rochester , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth .

William Cromer who was Sheriff before in the twenty third , was now again Sheriff in the twenty eighth year of Henry the sixth .

Gervas Clifton that had served this Office in the eighteenth year of this Kings Reign , was called again to discharge in the twenty ninth of K. Henry the sixth .

Robert Horne of Hornes Place in Apuldore , was Sheriff of Kent the thirtieth year of Henry the sixth .

Thomas Ballard of Horton near Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty first year of Henry the sixth .

John Fogge of Repton in Ashford Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty second year of Henry the sixth .

Sir Iohn Cheyney of Shurland and Patricksbourn Cheyney , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty third year of K. Henry the sixth .

Philip Belknap of the Moate in Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth year of Henry the sixth .

Alexander Iden of Westwell who slew Iack Cade , and married the Widow of Will . Cromer slain before by that Rebell , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty fifth year of Henry the sixth .

John Guldford of Halden Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty sixth year of Henry the sixth ; This Man flourished under the Scepter of Henry the sixth , Edward the fourth , under whom he was Sheriff , and likewise Comptroller of his House-hold ; Richard the third , at whose Coronation he was Knighted ; and lastly , that of Henry the seventh , by whom he was admitted ( as his Monument in the Middle Isle of the Body of Christ Church in Canterbury does attest ) into his Privy Councell .

Sir Gervas Clifton who formerly in the eighteenth and twenty ninth years of this Prince had managed this Place , was again summoned to execute it in the thirty seventh year of Henry the sixth .

Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle in Surrey , was again Sheriff of Kent in the thirty eighth year of Henry the sixth .

John Scot of Scots-Hall Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent part of the year above mentioned : He was afterwards Knighted by K. Edward the fourth , and by him called to be of his Privy Councell , Deputy of Callis , and Comptroller of his House-hold .

Sheriffs of Kent under K. Edward the fourth .

John Isaack of Howlets in Patricksbourne , was Sheriff of Kent the first year of King Edward the fourth .

Sir William Peche of Lullingston Knight , was Sheriff of Kent the third and fourth years of Edward the fourth , and had likewise the Custody of the Castle of Canterbury annexed to his Office , as this Record does inform me . Rex concessit Willielmo Peche Milititotum Comit. Cantii una cum Castro Cantuariensi , ac constituit eum Vicecomitem Cantii , ac ei concessit 40 libras Annuas , quousque ei dederit 40 libras Annuas in speciali , Taellio & Haeredibus Masculis Pat. 2. Edw. quarti , Parte secunda .

John Diggs of Diggs Court in Barham , was Sheriff of Kent the fourth year or Edw. the fourth .

Alexander Clifford of Bobbing Court Son of Lewis Clifford Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of K. Edward the fourth .

Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn Son of William Haut and Elizabeth his Wife Sister to Richard Woodvill Earl Rivers , and Aunt to Elizabeth Woodvill Queen of England , and Wife to K. Edward the fourth , was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of that Prince .

Sir Iohn Colepeper of Pepenbury and Bedgebury , was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Edward the fourth .

Ralph St. Leger of Ulcomb Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Edward the fourth .

Henry Ferrers of Chilesmore and Tamworth in the County of Warwick , was Sheriff of the County of Kent in the ninth year of Edward the fourth : He married Mawde one of the Coheirs of William Hextall of Hextall Place in great Peckham .

John Brumston of Preston near Feversham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the tenth year of Edward the fourth : This year the King likewise by his Letters Patents committed to his Custody the City of Canterbury .

Richard Colepeper of Oxenhoath in Little Peckham , was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of Edward the fourth .

James Peckham of Yaldham in Wrotham , was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth year of Edward the fourth .

Sir John Fogge of Repton in Ashford , sometime Comptroller of the House to Edward the fourth , was Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth year of that Prince .

John Isley of Sundridge Cousin and Heir Generall of William Isley who was Sheriff of this County the twenty fifth of Henry the sixth , was Sheriff of Kent the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth .

Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn formerly mentioned , was again Sheriff the fifteenth year of Edward the fourth .

John Green who lived at Scadbery in Chiselhurst , in Right of his Wife Constance Widow of Sir Thomas Walsingham , was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth of Edward the fourth .

William Cheyney of Shurland Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the seventeenth year of Edward the fourth .

Richard Haut of the Moat in Ightham younger Brother to Sir William , was Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth of Edward the fourth .

Richard Lee of great Delce● in Rochester , was Sheriff of Kent the ninteenth year of Edward the fourth .

Sir John Fogge of Repton formerly mentioned , was again Sheriff of Kent the twentieth year of Edward the fourth .

Sir George Brown of Bechworth Castle Son of Sir Thomas Brown , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first of Edward the fourth .

Richard Haut of the Moat in Ightham who served the Office of Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth of Edward the fourth , was after he had been three years from the place , according to the Statute , made Sheriff of Kent again the twenty second , year of Edward the fourth , in which year this worthy Prince cast off the Luggage of humane Frailty , by paying the last Debt he owed to Nature .

Sheriffs of Kent under Richard the Third .

Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn that had been Sheriff twice before in the Time of K. Edward the fourth , was made Sheriff of Kent again in the first year of K. Richard the third , from Michaelmass the twenty second of Edward the fourth , to the ninth of April , and then to the twenty third , which day K. Edward the fifth fell an Oblation to the Avarice and Ambition of his usurping Uncle , who cast trains no less for his Life then for his Crown ; and then again to the twenty fifth of June , and from the twenty sixth of June , untill the Michaelmass following Sir Henry Forrers supplied the place of Sheriff for him .

John Bamme Esquire of the Mannor of Grench in Gillingham , descended from Adam Bamme Lord Maior of London , was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Richard the third .

Sir Robert Brackenbury of the Moate in Ightham , was Sheriff of Kent the third year of Richard the third .

Will . Cheyney Esquire of Shurland , was Sheriff of Kent the last year of Rich. the third .

Sheriffs of Kent under Henry the Seventh .

William Cheyney of Shurland Esquire , Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Edward the fourth , and last of Richard the third , continued in that Office the first year of K. Henry the seventh .

John Pimpe of Pimpes Court in Farleigh and Lose Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the second year of Henry the seventh .

Sir Henry Ferrers of great Peckham Knight , who was Sheriff before in the fifth year of Edward the fourth , was Sheriff of Kent again in the third year of Henry the seventh .

Walter Roberts of Glastenbury in Cranbroke Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the fourth year of Edward the fourth .

Sir William Boleyne Knight of Hever Castle and of Seale , Son of Sir Ieffery Boleyne Lord Maior of London , and Anne his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of Henry the seventh .

Sir William Scot Son and Heir of Sir Iohn Scot , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixth year of Henry the seventh . This our Sheriff new built Scots Hall , which was before decayed and ruinous .

John Darell of Cale-Hill Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of Henry the seventh . He was Esquire of the Body to that Prince , and Captain of the Launciers in that part of the County wherein he lived , and having had his Estate torn from him by Richard the third , as being a Correspondent of Henry the seventh , had it restored to him with several other Mannors by that Prince : He was Father to Sir Iames Darell who was Knighted at Turwin by K. Henry the eighth , and was Captain of Hames Castle , and Governour of Guisnes .

Thomas Kemp of Ollantie near Wye Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Henry the seventh ; He married Emeline one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Valentine Chich , and Philippa his Wife Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert Chichley Knight sometime Lord Maior of London , and Brother to Henry Chichley Arch Bishop of Canbury .

Sir Richard Gulford of Halden who was Knighted at Milford Haven , and made Banneret at Blackheath , was Sheriff of Kent the ninth year of Henry the seventh .

John Peche of Lullingston Esquire , who afterwards received the Order of Knighthood , was Sheriff of Kent in the tenth year of Henry the seventh .

John Digge of Digges Court in Berham , was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of Henry the seventh .

Sir Iames Walsingham of Scadbery in Chiselhurst , was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth of Henry the seventh .

Lewis Clifford of Bobbing Court Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth year of Henry the seventh .

Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Esquire , afterwards Knighted , and made comptroler of Callis was Sheriff of Kent the fourteenth of Henry the seventh .

Alexander Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire in Goudherst , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifteenth year of Henry the seventh : He afterwards received the Order of Knighthood .

Thomas Iden of Westwell Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of Henry the seventh .

Sir William Scot of Scots Hall , who was Sheriff in the sixth year of Henry the seventh , was Sheriff of Kent again in the seventeenth year of that Princes Government .

Ralph St. Leger of Ulcomb Esquire , Son and Heir of Ralph St. Leger , was Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth year of Henry the seventh .

William Cromer of Tunstal Esquire , who afterwards received the Order of Knighthood , was Sherift of Kent the ninteenth of Henry the seventh .

John Langley of Knowlton Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth of Henry the seventh .

Sir Thomas Kempe of Ollantie Knight of the Bath , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first of Henry the seventh .

Sir Alexander Colepeper of Bedgebury , was Sheriff of Kent again the twenty second year of Henry the seventh .

Henry Vane of Tunbridge Esquire , second Son of John Vane of Tunbridge Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty third year of Henry the seventh .

Reginald Peckham of Yaldham in Wrotham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth of Henry the seventh , in which year that Sagacious Monarch shook off the Garment of his Mortality .

Sheriffs of Kent under the Scepter of Henry the Eighth .

Sir William Cromer of Tunstal Knight who was Sheriff before in the ninteenth of Henry the seventh , managed that Office again , and was Sheriff again of this County in the first year of K. Henry the eighth .

James Digge of Digges Court in Berham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the second year of Henry the eighth .

Sir Thomas Boleyne of Hever Castle Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the third year of Henry the eighth , in the fifteenth year of Henry the eighth , he was made Knight of the Garter , and Treasurer of the Kings House , in the seventeenth year he was created Viscount Rochford , and in the twenty first of Henry the eighth he was invested with the Title of Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond .

Sir Thomas Kemp of Ollantie made Knight of the Bath at the Marriage of Prince Arthur Eldest Son to Henry the seventh , was again Sheriff in the fourth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir John Norton of Northwood in Milton Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir Alexander Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of Henry the eighth .

Tho. Cheyney of Shurland Esquire , afterwards made Knight of the Garter , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of Henry the eighth .

Sir William Scot of Scots Hall Knight , was made Sheriff of Kent the eighth year of Hen. the eighth , and before that in the sixth and seventeenth years of Hen. the seventh .

Sir Thomas Boleyne of Hever Castle Knight , was again Sheriff of Kent the ninth year of Henry the eighth .

John Crispe of Quekes at Birchington in the Isle of Thanet Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the tenth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir John Wiltshire of Stone near Dartford , Comptroller of Callis , was Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of Henry the eighth .

John Roper Esquire of St. Dunstans without the Walls of Canterbury , and of Well Hall in Eltham , was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth of Henry the eighth .

Robert Sonds of Town Place in Throuley , and of Sonds Place in Darking in Surrey , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir John Fogge of Repton in Ashford , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of Henry the eighth .

George Guldford of Hemsted in Beneuden Esquire , who married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Robert Mortimer of Mortimers Hall in Essex , and the Lady Elizabeth Howard his Wife Daughter to John Lord Howard Duke of Norfolk , was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth of Henry the eighth .

Sir William Haut of Haut bourn Knight , Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Haut made Knight of the Bath , at the Marriage of Prince Arthur with Katharine of Castile , was Sheriff of Kent the sixteenth year of Henry the eighth .

Henry Vane of Tunbridge Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Hen. the seventh , discharged that Office again in the seventeenth year of Hen. the eighth . This Henry Vane is he that had Command in an Expedition into Scotland in the beginning of the abovesaid Prince . [ Vide Speed . ]

William Whetenhal of Hextal Place in East Peckham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir John Scot of Scott Hall , was Sheriff of Kent in the nineteenth year of Henry the eighth .

William Kempe of Oslantis Esquire , who afterwards was invested with the Order of Knight hood , was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Henry the eighth . He was second Son of Sir Thomas Kempe , and after his elder Brother Christopher Kempe deceased without Issue , succeeded in the Patrimony : He married Eleanor Daughter and Heir of Robert Brown Esquire , third Son of Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle . Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Knight , who matched with Dorothy one of the Daughters and Coheirs of Sir Robert Reade Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first of Henry the eighth .

William Waller of Gromebridge in Spelherst Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty second of Henry the eighth .

Sir Richard Clement of the Moat in Ightham , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third of Henry the eighth .

Sir William Finch of the Moat in the Parish of St. Martins in Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth year of Henry the eighth .

Thomas Roberts of Glastonbury in Cranbroke Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fifth of Henry the eighth .

Sir Thomas Poynings of Ostenhanger Knight , afterwards created Lord Poynings in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth year of Henry the eighth . He married Katharine Daughter and Coheir of John Lord Marney , but deceased without Issue in the thirty seventh year of the abovesaid Prince .

Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe was again Sheriff of Kent the twenty seventh of Henry the eighth .

Sir Thomas Wiat of Allington Castle , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty eighth year of Henry the eighth . He married Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Thomas Brooke Lord Cobham by whom he had Issue , Sir Thomas Wiat afterwards beheaded .

Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn , was again Sheriff of Kent the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir William Sidney of Pencehurst Knight Banneret Tutor to Prince Edward afterwards Edward the sixth , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth . He was Son and Heir of Nicholas Sidney Esquire , who married Anne Daughter of Sir Will . Brandon Knight , slain at Boswor●h Field , Aunt to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk : This Nicholas was Son and Heir of William Sidney Esquire , by Thoma●…in his Wife , Daughter and Heir of John Barrington Esquire , descended from the right ancient and Knightly Family of Barrington of Barrington Hall in Essex .

Sir Anthony St. Leger of Ulcomb Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first year of Henry the eighth .

Anthony Sonds of Throuley Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty second of Henry the eighth .

Reginald Scot of Scots Hall Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty third year of Henry the eighth .

Sir Henry Isley of Sondridge and of Farningham , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty fourth of Henry the eighth .

Sir Humphry Stile of Langley Park in Bekenham Knight , Son and Heir of John Stile Alderman of London , and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Sir Guy Wolston Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth of Henry the eighth .

Sir John Fogge of Repton , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth .

Sir Percival Hart of Lullingston Knight , was Sheriff of Kent the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth .

Henry Crispe of Quekes in Birchington in the Isle of Thanet Esquire , who received the Order of Knighthood before his Death , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty eighth year of Henry the eighth , in which year this Prince shrunk to Ashes .

Sheriffs of Kent in the Time of K. Edward the Sixth .

William Sidley of Scadbery in Southfleet Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the first of Edward the sixth .

Sir George Harpur of Sutton Valence , was sheriff of Kent in the second year of Edward the sixth .

Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury , Son and Heir of Sir Alexander Colepeper , was Sheriff of Kent in the third year of K. Edward the sixth .

Sir Thomas Wiat of Allington Castle , Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Wiat , and Grandchild of Sir Henry Wiat , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of K. Edward the sixth .

Sir Henry Isley of Sundridge , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of K. Edward the sixth .

Sir John Guldford of Hemsted in Benenden , was Sheriff of Kent the sixth year of K. Edward the sixth . After this year , this Pious young Monarch was not long Liv'd , for all his early blooming Glories were shortly after blasted by a too sudden Death .

Sheriffs of Kent under Queen Mary .

Sir Robert Southwell of Merworth Knight , afterwards Master of the Rolls , was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Queen Mary . He held Merworth ( where he lies buried ) in Right of his Wife Margaret Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Thomas Nevill Speaker of the Parliament in the time of Henry the eighth , and one of his Privy Councel , and third Son to George Nevill Baron Aburgavenny .

William Roper of Well Hall in Eltham , was Sheriff of Kent in the first and second year of Philip and Mary .

Sir Thomas Kempe of Ollantie near Wye , was Sheriff of Kent in the second and third year of Philip and Mary , part of the year was supplied for him by Thomas Moile Esquire .

George Vane of Badsell Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the third and fourth year of Philip and Mary .

Thomas Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth and fifth year of Philip and Mary : In which year Callis was lost , which Blow sat so heavy upon her Heartstrings , that the Cordage not able to undergo the Pressure , was crackt with the Burden which was lodged upon it .

Sheriffs of Kent under Queen Elizabeth .

Thomas Wotton of Bonghton Malherbe continued in that Office part of the first year of Q. Elizabeth , and the remainder of the year was supplied by Nicholas Crispe Esquire , who kept his Shrivealty at Grimgill in Whitestaple , but more properly Greenshields , from a Family so called who were once Proprietaries of it .

Warham St. Leger of Ulcomb Esquire , afterwards Knighted in the year 1565 , was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Queen Elizabeth .

John Tufton of Hothfield in Kent Esquire , Son and Heir of Nicholas Tufton Esquire , who was possest of Tufton in Nordiam in Sussex , was Sheriff of Kent the third year of Queen Elizabeth .

Richard Baker of Sisingherst in Cranbroke Esquire , Son and Heir of Sir John Baker , Chancellor of the Exchequer , and one of the Privy Councel to Q. Mary , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Thomas Walsingham of Scadbery in Chiselhurst Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Thomas Kempe of Ollantie Knight , that was Sheriff before in the third year of Q. Mary , served in that Office again in the sixth year of Q. Elizabeth .

John Mayney of Biddenden Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the seventh year of Q. Elizabeth , but died before his year was out , and the rest of the Time was supplied by William Isley of Sundridge Esquire . This our Sheriff married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Ralph Johnson of Ticehurst , Son to Alderman Johnson of London , which Ralph matched with Dorothy one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Thomas Morton of Lechlade in the County of Glocester Esquire .

John Sidley of Southfleet Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth year of Queen Elizabeth .

William Cromer of Tunstal Esquire , Son and Heir of James Cromer Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of Queen Elizabeth .

John Brown of Reynolds ( and as ordinarily styled Brown's Place ) in Horton Kerbie , was Sheriff of Kent the tenth of Q. Elizabeth .

Edward Isaack of Patricksbourne Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh of Q. Elizabeth .

John Lennard of Chevining Esquire , Son and Heir of John Lennard of the same place Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Walter Mayney of Spilsil in Staplehurst Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Thomas Vane of Badsel Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Willoughby of Boreplace in Chiddingstone Esquire , Grandchild of Sir Thomas Willoughby of the same Place , Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifteenth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir James Hales of the Dungeon without the Walls of Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of Q. Elizabeth .

John Tufton of Hothfield Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventeenth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Thomas Scot of Scots Hall was Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth year of Queen Elizabeth .

Edward Bois of Fredville in Nonington Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the nineteenth of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the twentieth of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Vane of Badsel in Tudeley Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first year of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Sonds of Throuley Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty second year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir George Hart of Lullingstone Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Richard Baker of Sisingherst Knight , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty fourth of Q. Elizabeth .

Justinian Champneis of Hall Place in Bexley Esquire , Son of Sir John Champneis Lord Maior of London , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Michael Sands of Town Place in Throuley Esquire , afterwards Knighted , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth year of Q. Elizabeth .

William Cromer of Tunstal Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty seventh year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Iames Hales of the Dungeon in Canterbury , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty eighth of Q. Elizabeth .

Iohn Phineux of Haw Court in Herne , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty ninth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Richard Hardres of Hardres Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirtieth year of Q. Elizabeth .

William Sidley of Southfleet Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first year of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Willoughby of Bore Place in Chiddingstone Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty second year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sampson Lennard of Chevening Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty third year of Q. Elizabeth .

Robert Bing of Wrotham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fourth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Michael Sonds of Throuley Esquire , wrs Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Edward Wotton of Boughton Malherbe Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty sixth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Palmer of Wingham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty seventh year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Moile Finch of Eastwell Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty eighth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Kempe of Ollantie in Wye Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty ninth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Martin Barnham of Hollingbourne Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the fortieth year of Q. Elizabeth .

Roger Twistden of Fortune Hall in great Peckham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the forty first year of Q. Elizabeth .

John Smith of Ostenhanger in Stanford Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the forty second year of Q. Elizabeth .

Thomas Scot of Scots Hall Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the forty third year of Q. Elizabeth .

Sir Peter Manhood of St. Stephens near Canterbury Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the forty fourth year of Q. Elizabeth : In which year that Religious , Prudent , and victorious Princess resigned up her Noble Soul to that God who first infused it .

Sheriffs of Kent in the Time of King James .

Sir Peter Manwood of St. Stephens , continued Sheriff of Kent the first year of K. James .

Sir James Cromer of Tunstal Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of K. James .

Sir Thomas Baker Knight , second Son of Sir Richard Baker of Sisingherst Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the third year of K. James , and kept his Shrievalty at Sisingherst .

Sir Moile Finch of Eastwell Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of King James .

Sir Norton Knatchbull of Mersham Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifth year of K. James .

Sir Robert Edolph of Hinxhill Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixth year of K. James .

Sir Edward Hales of Wood Church Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of K. James .

Sir William Withens of Southend in Eltham , was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth year of K. James .

Sir Nicholas Gilborne of Charing Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of K. James .

Sir Maximilian Dalison of Halling near Rochester Knight , was Sheriff of Kent the tenth of K. James .

Sir William Steed of Steed-Hill in Haretshat , was Sheriff of Kent the eleventh year of K. James .

Sir Anthony Aucher of Hautsbourne Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of K. James .

Sir Edward Filmer of East Sutton Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth year of K. James .

Sir Edwin Sandies of Northbourne Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of K. James .

William Beswick of Spelmonden in Horsemonden Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent the fifteenth year of K. James .

Gabriel Livesey of Hollingbourne Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of K. James .

Sir Thomas Norton of Bobbing and Northwood in Milton Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventeenth of K. James .

Edward Scot of Scots Hall Esquire , afterwards made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of K. Charles , was Sheriff of Kent the eighteenth of K. James .

Sir John Sidley of the Friers in Alresford Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent in the nineteenth year of K. James .

Sir Thomas Roberts of Glastenbury in Cranbroke Knight and Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of K. James .

Sir George Fane of Burston in Hunton Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first year of K. James .

Sir John Heyward of Hollingbourne Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty second year of K. James : In which year this Monarch cast off his humane Frailty to surrender his Soul to God .

Sheriffs of Kent under the Scepter of K. Charles .

Sir Thomas Hamon of Brasted Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of K. Charles .

Sir Isaac Sidley of great Chart Knight and Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of K. Charles .

Basel Dixwel of Folkstone Esquire , afterwards Knighted , was Sheriff of Kent in third year of K. Charles .

Sir Edward Engham of Goodneston Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of K. Charles , and had a Dispensation under the Kings Hand and Signet , to inhabit within the County and City of Canterbury during his year of Shrievalty , and to find a meet Person to attend at the Assises in his Place in regard of his indisposition of Body .

Sir William Champion of Combwel in Goudherst Knight , was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of K. Charles .

Jo. Brown of Singleton in Great Chart Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixth year of K. Charles , and kept his Shrievalty at Hinxhill Court .

Sir Robert Lewknor of Acris Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of K. Charles .

Nicholas Miller of Horsnels Crouch in Wrotham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth year of K. Charles .

Sir Thomas Stiles of Watringbury Knight and Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of K. Charles .

Sir John Baker of Sisinghurst in Cranbroke Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent the tenth year of K. Charles .

Edward Chowt of Surrenden in Bethersden Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of K. Charles , and kept his Shrievalty at Hinxhill .

Sir William Colepeper of Preston in Alresford Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth of K. Charles .

Sir George Sonds of Lecze Court in Shelvich Knight of the Bath , was Sheriff of Kent in the thirteenth of K. Charles .

Sir Thomas Henley of Coursehorne in Cranbroke Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of K. Charles .

Sir Edward Masters of East Langdon Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the fifteenth year of K. Charles .

David Polhill of Otford Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year of K. Charles .

James Hugison of Lingsted Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the seventeenth year of K. Charles .

Sir William Brockman of Bithborough in Newington Belhouse Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth year of K. Charles , but being called to manage this Office by that King when he was in Arms at Oxford , he was thought by the Parliament then sitting , to be a Person in that Juncture of Affairs , not fitting to have the Manegerie of a Place of so great Concernment , and was accordingly supplanted .

Sir Iohn Honywood of Evington Court in Elmested Knight , was chosen by the Parliament then sitting , to serve the Sheriff of Kent part of the eighteenth year of King Charles , and continued in that Office the nineteenth year and twentieth year of the abovesaid Princes Reign .

Sir Iohn Rayney of Wrotham Baronet , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty first year of K. Charles .

Sir Iohn Henden of Biddenden Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty second year of K. Charles .

Sir Stephen Scot of Hays by Bromley Knight , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of K. Charles .

George Selby of the Moat in Ightham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty fourth year of K. Charles : In which year that Noble , but infortunate Monarch was put to Death .

Sheriffs of Kent since the Death of K. Charles .

Henry Crispe of Quekes in Birchington Esq ; was Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1649 , and part of the year 1650 , but in Respect of age and indisposition of Body , his place was supplied by Sir Nicholas Crispe Son and Heir .

George Curtis of Chart by Sutton Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1650 , and part of the year 1651. He was chosen to serve upon the Decease of William Draper of Crayford Esquire , who was named to serve , but died not long after his Nomination , but by reason of Age and the Craziness of his Constitution , his Son Norton Curtis Esquire , discharged the Office for him .

Thomas Floyd of Gore Court in Otham Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1651 , and part of the year 1652.

Bernard Hide of Bore Place in Chiddingstone Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1652 , and part of the year 1653.

The right Honourable Sir Iohn Tufton Earl of Thanet , was Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1653 , and part of the year 1654.

Sir Humphry Tufton of the Moat by Maidston Knight , was Sheriff of Kent part of the year 1654 , and part of the year 1655.

Sir Michael Livesey Baronet of East Church in Shepey , was Sheriff of Kent the Remainder of the year 1655 , and part of the year 1656.

Sir Michael Livesey Baronet , was again Sheriff of Kent the residue of the year 1656 , and a part of the year 1657.

Charles Bolles of Rochester Esquire , is now Sheriff of Kent 1658.

Having a in succinct Register represented to the Reader an Historal View of those who were successively Sheriffs of this County , as high as the Light of Publick Record will guide us to discover , I shall now in a narrow Landskip give him a Prospect of those who in elder Times were styled Conservatores Pacis , from whence our modern Justices of the Peace may have seemed to have extracted their Original Institution : They were first established by Edward the third , and then invested and fortified with an Authority and Power of a very wide Latitude , but suitable indeed to an Office of so much concernment and importance as they were intrusted with , the main End of their Place in the first Foundation of it was as appears Pat. de Anno primo Edwar. tertii Pars prima Memb. septima in Dorse , to array and train the Inhabitants of each respective County where the Scene of their Power was laid , that so they might be put into a Capacity to repress all homebred Insurrections within ; and secure the Nation from the Eruptions of forraigne Invaders from without , and it is further evident Pat. de Anno duodecimo Edwar. tertii Memb. 16. in Dorso . and again Pat. de Anno decimo Edw. tertii Pars secunda Memb. 35. in Dorso . They were authorised by two Commissions to reduce all Vagabonds and Wanderers , to dissipate all mutinous and riotous Conventions , and to suppress all Thieves and Outlaws , and all other Persons disaffected to the Peace established ; and to vindicate and assert the two Statutes of North-Hampton and Winchester in all the Ends and Consequences of them , both which Laws direct an Inspection into the Premises . The Catalogue or Register of those who were Conservatores Pacis , for the County of Kent does here ensue .

Pat. 1. Edwar. 3. prima Pars Memb. septima in Dorso . Bartholomeus de Burgherst . Johannes de Ifield . Pat. 3. Edwar. 3. Par. prima Memb. 16. in Dorso . Bartholomeus Burhurst . Johannes de Cobham . Joannes de Ifield . Pat. 5. Edwar. 3. Par. prima Memb. 24. in Dorso . Johannes de Cobham . Johannes de Ifield . Pat. 6. Edwar. 3. Par. prima Memb. 22. in Dorso . William de Clinton . Tres vel duo eorum . John de Cobham . John de Segrave . Thomas Feversham . Par. 6. Edwar. 3. Par. prima Memb. 11. in Dorso . Willielmus de Clinton . Quinque quatuor tres & duo eorum . John de Cobham . Galfridus de Say . John de Segrave . Otho de Grandison . Thomas de Feversham . Pat. 9. Edwar. 3. Par. 2. Memb. 24. in Dorso . Johannes de Cobham . De Confirmatione Pacis ac Statuti Northampton & cujusdam Ordinationis ne qui alicubi incedant armati ad terrorum Populi . Thomas de Aldon . John de Segrave . Par. 10. Edwar. 3. Par. 2. Memb. 18. in Dorso Willielmus de Clinton . De Feloniis & Malefactoribus notorie suspectis insequendis , & de audiendo & terminando Felonia Transgressiones & Excessus . Radulphus Savage . Thomas de Aldon . Quatuor vel Tres eorum . Johannes de Hampton . Willielmus de Reiculuar . Pat. 12. Edwar. 3. Momb . 16. in Dorso . Johannes de Cobham . Tres vel duo eorum . Thomas de Aldon . Jo. de Warrenâ Com. de Surrey . Thomas de Brockhull . Willielmo de Clinton Com. de Huntingdon . Quos , &c. Willielmus de Orlanston . Pat. 18. Edwar. 3. Par. 2. Memb. 35. in Dorso . Johannes de Cobham . Tres vel duo eorum in Com. Kantii . Thomas de Brockhull . Otho de Grandison . Willielmus de Morant . Stat. 18. Edwar. 3. Cap. 2. In this year the Statute was made that ordained that their should be two or three Wardens of the Peace in every County . Pat. 29. Edwar. 3. Par. prima Memb. 29. in Dorso . Galfridus de Say . Willielmus de Thorpe . Otho de Grandison . Arnaldus de Savage . Stephen de Valoigns . Willielmus de Norton . Pat. 31. Edwar. 3. Par. prima Memb. 17. in Dorso . Galfridus de Say . Willielmus de Norton . Willielmus de Thorpe . Thomas de Lodelow . Pat. 31. Edwar. 3. Par. 2. Memb. 11. in Dorso . Rogerus de Mortuomari . Comes de March Constabularius Castri Dovoriae , & Custos quinque Portuum . Will . de Thorpe a Judge . Radulphus de Spigurnel . Will . de Norton a Judge . Stephanus de Valoigns . Thomas de Lodelow . Willielmus Warner .

In this year it being found by Experience that the former Number of the Wardens of the Peace setled by the Statute of the eighteenth of Edw. the third , before mentioned , was not sufficient for the good Governance of this County ; It was further provided by an Act made in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third , Cap. 2. Ordaining that their should be in every Shire one Lord , and with him three or four of the best in the County , and three or four learned in the Laws assigned for keeping of the Peace , and to restrain Offenders . In the next Commission awarded after this Act , these eighth Persons are recited for the abovesaid Purpose , Viz. Sir Robert Herle then Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and Constable of Dover Castle ; Iohn de Cobham of Cobham , Roger de Northwood of Northwood , Ralph de Fremingham of Fremingham or Farningham , Thomas de Lodelow , Robert Vinter of Vinters in Boxley , Iohn Barrie of Sevington , Thomas Hartredge of Hartredge in Cranebroke . But this Restriction was not so permanent , but that in short space the Number was very much augmented , as by the subsequent Series in the first year of Richard the second may very well be observed .

Pat. primo Rich. secundi Pars prima Memb. 20. in Dorso . De Justiciariis ad Pacem conservandam assignatis . Justiciarii ad pacem conservandam assignati . Edmundus Comes Cantabrigiensis , Constabularius Castri Dovoriae . Johannes de Cohham . Robertus Belknap . — A Judge . Stephanus de Valoigns . Henry de Astry or Astie . — A Judge . Willielmus Horne . Thomas de Shardelow . — A Judge . Willielmus Topcliff . Thomas Garwenton de Well . Nicholaus Hering . Willielmus Tiltombe . In Lastis de Sheringhope Shepwey St. Augustines & Septem Hundredis in Com. Kantii . Willielmus Makenade . Teste Rege apud Westmon . primo Die Aprilis . Johannes Francis . Thomas Hatredge . John Bird de Smeth . Justiciarii ad pacem conservandam assignati . Idem Edmundus Comes supradictus . Johannes Cobham . Robertus Belknap . Thomas Colepeper . Henricus Astie . Johannes Fremingham . In Lastis de Alresford Sutton & Leucata de Tunbridge in Com. Kantii . Jacobus de Peckham . Thomas de Shardelow . Teste Rege ut supra . Willielmus Topclive . Nocholaus Hering . Willielmus Makenade .

After by the Statute of the twelfth year of Richard the second , Cap. 10. and the fourteenth year of the same Prince , Cap. 11. it was prohibited that there should be any more than six Justices of the Peace in any Commission besides the two Justices of Assise , and certain Lords who were assigned in the Parliament it self . But in Times subsequent to these , when the Womb of Vice ( like the Mudde of Nile ) was more fertile in the production of Crimes , and the Seeds of Contention began to be sown more plentifully in every furrow of this Nation , which sprang up again in a numberless Variety of Discord and Animosity ; these Restrictions were broke , and the Catalogue of Justices was improved to that Volume , to which it is swoln at present .

Before I descend to a particular Description of the Parishes of this County , I should take cognisance of all those Towns and Villages which by the indulgence of former Princes were invested with the Charter of Market and Faire : But this hath been so exactly performed lately by Mr. Kilbourn , that I shall at present decline this Task . Indeed all of them had this Passage inserted in the Original Grant , Quantum in Nobis est , so that many of them when they came to be discussed before the Judges Itinerent at the general Assises , Quo Warranto they were held , that is to say , what Authority they had to support them , were if they were found convenient and necessary ratified , confirmed , and continued ; but if again they were deemed needless and superfluous , they were at these publick Conventions by the power of the Law then planted in the Judges , vacated and discarded , This may likewise be added , that many of them were granted with this Intention of their first Institution only to inforce and Aggrandize the Signorie of those Mannors which were parcel of the Demeasn of those eminent Persons to whom those above mentioned Royal Charters and Concessions were indulged ; as , Sutton Valence , Court at Sreet , Shinglewell , and others ; and when the Title and Possession of those Places was either by Purchase or Marriage cast into the Tenure of other Proprietaries , the Virtue of these Grants began to be dis-spirited , and the Custome of Keeping up Markets and Fairs at these Mannors and Parishes began insensibly to shrink into disuse and intermission . It is farther observable , that at diverse Places which were endowed with these above mentioned Priviledges , as , at Brenchly , Charlton by Greenwich , and other Parishes , the Market and Fair was observed and held in the Church-yard , and on the Sunday ; it being the great Design of the Romish Clergie of those cloudy Times , to whom Godliness was great gain , in the practical sense , at once to charm the peoples Devotion and Benevolence : But , as if there were in the Vogue and Estimate of that Age , a greater Degree of Sanctity entailed on the Church-yard , then on the Sunday , the holding either Market or Fair in that Place was by a Statute made in the thirteenth year of Ed. the first , Chapter the sixth , wholly interdicted and prohibited ; but though the Church-yard were thus empaled , and fenced in with this new Law , the Sunday lay open and exposed to all Disorder and Prophanation , untill the Reign of Henry the sixth , and then that pious Prince resenting with regret the many Enormities and other Excesses of a black Complexion , which were occasioned by the Conflux of people assembled at these publick Meetings , and which had foully stained and debauched the purity of this Solemn Festival , did by Statute made and ratified in the twenty seventh year of his Reign , Chapter the fifth , for the future forbid the keeping of any Markets or Fairs in any Place whatsoever on the Sunday .

I shall now take a Prospect of all the Parishes , Villages , and Mannors , which are circumscribed , within the circle of this County ; but before I wade farther in this Discourse , I shall represent upon what reasons or foundations Mannors were first instituted and established , by example and resemblance of the King's policy in the institutions of Tenures , ( saith Sir Francis Bacon : ) The great men and Gentlemen of this Realm did the like , so near as they could ; as for Example , when the King had given to any of them two thousand Acres of Lands , this party proposing in this place to make his Dwelling , or ( as the old word is ) his Mansion-house , or his Mannor-house , did devise how he might make his Land a compleat Habitation to supply him with all manner of necessaries ; and for that purpose , he would give of the uttermost parts of these two thousands Acres , one hundred , or two hundred Acres , or more or less , as he should think meet , to one of his most trusty Servants , with some reservation of rent to find a horse for the wars , and go with him when he went with the King to the wars , adding vow of Homage , and the oath of Fealty , Wardship , Marriage and Relief . This Relief is to pay five pounds for every Knights Fee , or after the rate for more or less at the entrance of every Heir : which Tenant so created and placed , was , and is to this day called a Tennant by Knights Service , and not by his own person ; but of his Mannors , of these he might make as many as he would ; then this Lord would provide that the Land which he was to keep for his own use , should be plowed , and his harvest brought home his House required , his Park pailed , and the like ; and for that end he would give to sundry other of twenty , thirty , forty or fifty Acres ; reserving the service of plowing a certain quantity , or so many dayes of his Lands , and certain Harvest works , or dayes in the Harvest to labour , or to repair the House , Park , Pail , or otherwise ; or to give him for his provision , Capons , Hens , Pepper , Commin , Roses , Gilliflowers , Spurs , Gloves , or the like ; or to pay him a certain Rent , and to be sworn to be his faithful Tenant , which Tenure was called a Soccage Tenure , and is so to this day ; howbeit , most of the plowing , and Harvest services are turned into Money Rents : the Tenants in Soccage at the Death of every Tenant , were to pay Relief , which was not as Knights Service is , five pound a Knights Fee ; but it was and is still one years Rent of the Land , and no Wardship or other profit to the Lord . The remainder of the two thousand Acres he kept to himself , whith he used to manure by his Bondman , and appointed them at the Courts of his Mannor how they should hold it , making an Entry of it into the Roll of the Remembrances of the Acts of his Court ; yet still in the Lords power to take it away , and therefore they were called Tenants at Will , by Copy of Court Roll ; being in truth Bondmen at the beginning ; but having obtained freedome of their persons , and gained a custome by use of occupying their Lands , they now are called Copyholders , and are so priviledged , that the Lord cannot put them out , and all through custome ; some Copyholders are for Lives , one , two , or three , successively ; and some Inheritances , from Heir to Heir , by custome , and Custome ruleth these Estates wholly , both for Widows Estates , Fines , Harriots , Forfeitures , and all other things . Mannors being in this sort made at the first , reason was that the Lord of the Mannor should hold a Court , which is no more then to assemble his Tenants together , at a time by him to be appointed ; in which Court he was to be informed , by oath of his Tenants , of all such Duties , Rents , Reliefs , and Wardships , Copy-holds or the like , that had happned unto him ; which information is called a Presentment , and then his Bailiff to Seise and Distrain for those Duties , if they were denied or with-holden , which is called a Court Baron ; and herein a man may Sue for any Debt or Trespass under Forty pound value , and the Freeholders are to judge of the Cause up on proof produced upon both fides ; and therefore the Freeholders of these Mannors , as incident to their Tenures , do hold by Suite of Court , which is to come to the Court , and there to judge between no party and party in those perty Actions ; And also to inform the Lord of Duties , Rents , and Services unpaid to him from his Tenants : By this course it is discerned , who be the Lords of Lands , such as if the Tenants die without Heir , or be attainted of Felony or Treason , shall have the Land by Escheat .

I now proceed , to trace out the several Parishes of Kent , and marshal them Alphabetically ; yet in this Scrutiny , I have not tortured their Names , untill by a nice and curious Anatomie , they confessed themselves to be either of British , Roman or Saxon Extraction ; because , at once to decline , and unravel this Difficulty , I have cast them into a peculiar Register by themselves , which shall stand as an Appendage to the Book , and first therefore , to go on , I begin with Acris .

A. A.

ACris is a small Parish lying in the Hundreds of Folkston and Lovingborough , and was held in the twentieth of William the Conquerour by Anketellus de Rosse ; from which Name it passed away by Grant to the Cosentons of Cosenton in Alresford , to hold of the Barony of Rosse , and of his Mannor of Horton near Ferningham : This Seat being thus annexed to the Demeasn of this Family , came down to William de Cosington , who is in the List of those Kentish Gentlemen whom K. John in the eighteenth year of his Reign by pardon absolved , for having taken an Oath to Lewis the Dolphin of France ; Charles King of Navarre ( as the private Evidences of Cosington inform me ) in the year of Grace 1366. setled an annual Pension of a thousand Crowns on Sir Stephen de Cosington , and Sir William his Son , for their remarkable Service performed against the Enemies of his Crown and Scepter . The last of this Family , which held this Mannor , was Sir J. Cosington , who concluded in three Danghters and Coheirs about the the latter end of Henry the eighth , matched to Duke Wood , and Alexander Hamon ; and upon the Disunion of the Estate into Parcels , the last by Female Interest , was invested in Acris , and his Successors remained Lords of the Fee untill the Beginning of K. James , and then a Fatalitie like the former , brought the Patrimony of this Family to be possest by two Daughters and Coheirs , so that Sir Robert Lewknor having matched with Katharine , who was one of them , became in her Right entituled to this Mannor , and left it to his Son Hamon Lewknor Esq ; who deceasing not long since hath transmitted it during the Minority of his Son to his Widow Dowager .

The Mannor of Brandred lies in this Parish , and belonged to the Abby of St. Radigunds , untill the suppression , and then it was by Henry the eighth exchanged with the Arch Bishop of Canterbury , in the twenty ninth of his Reign , and remained parcel of that Patrimony , which acknowledged the Signorie of that See , untill these tempestuous Times shook it off .

Addington in the Hundred of Larkfield , was as high as any Track of Evidence can transport me to discover , the Inheritance of a noble Family called Mandeville , and divers Deeds of a very venerable Antiquity , being without date , and now in the hands of Mr. Watton , do attest Roger de Mandeville in those elder Times to have been Lord of the Fee ; but before the end of Edward the second , this Family was vanished , and had surrendred the possession of this place to Robert At Checquer , in whom the possession was but of a narrow Date , for hee not long after alienated his Interest in it to Nicholas Dagworth , as is evident by this Record registred in the Book of Aid kept in the Exchequer , De Nicholao de Dagworth pro uno Feodo Militis , quod Roberius de Scaccario . tenuit in Addington de Warreno de Montecanisio 40. s. That is , Nicholas Dagworth in the twentieth year of Edward the third , paid a respective Supply of 40. s. for his Mannor of Addington , which both he and Robert At Checquer , which enjoyed it before him , held of the Honour of Swanscamp Castle , as being the capital Seat of the Barony of Mountchensey , under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee . But in this Family the Title was a Volatile as in the former , for before the going out of Edward the third , I find it passed away from Dagworth to Sir Hugh Segrave , and he in the seventh year of Richard the second , alienated it to Richard Charles , descended from Edward Charles Captain and Admirall of the Seas , from the Thames mouth Northward , in the reign of Edward the first , as appears Pat. 34. Edwardi primi . But he was scarce warm in his new Acquists , but he expired in two Daughters and Coheirs , Alice matched to William Snaith , and Joan married to Richard Ormeskirk ; but this Mannor upon the Distinction of the Estate into Parcells was entwin'd with the Demeasne of Snaith , and he dyed possest of it ( as the date of his Tombe in Addington Church informs me ) in the year 1409. but dyed without Issue-male , so that his sole Daughter and Heir being wedded to Watton made it the Inheritance of that Family , and here have they planted themselves ever since that Alliance , and have performed many signal Services to this County by being invested with places of Trust , as Justices of the Peace , Commissioners of the Sewers , and other Officers of the like Condition , which hath much inforced and multiplied the eminent Reputation of this ancient Family .

Allington in the Hundred of Lark field is eminent for an ancient Castle within the Limits of it ; which , as Mr. Darrell and Mr. Mersh do assert , was erected by William de Columbariis , or Columbers ; and this Mr. Darrell , who was very curious in Disquisitions of this Nature , more possitively affirms , because in the eighth year of Henry the third , when ( as appears by the Records of the Tower ) there was an exact Survey taken of all the Castles of England , and of those who were either Proprietaries of them , or else the respective Castellans or Guardians , one of the above mentioned Family was found to be possessor of this Fortresse , and was also Lord of the Mannor , which was still annexed to the Castle ; but this Name was of no long continuance in the Tenure of either , for about the latter end of Henry the third , they came to own the Signorie of Sir Stephen de Penchester , Lord Warden afterwards of the Cinque Ports , to whom and to Margaret his Wife , Daughter of the famous Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent , King Edward the first granted a Licence in the ninth year of his Reign , as appears by the Patent-Rolls of that Time to erect a Castle , and to fortifie and embattle at Allington ; so that it seems it was only before Fortalitium , some small Fortresse , and could not be marshall'd under the just Notion of a Castle , untill it had received new Symetrie and Dimensions , by those Appendages and Supplements which were added to it by this great Man ; and having thus established this Pile , it came to own his Name , and is in some old Records called Allington Penchester , and not undeservedly ; for in the eighth year of Edward the first , he obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Allington , and also a Market Weekly on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly three days , on the Vigil , the day , and day after St. Laurence , but deceased without Issue Male ; so that after his Exit , it came to acknowledge Stephen de Cobham , who had married his Daughter and Coheir , and he inocculated his own Name upon it , and called it Allington Cobham , which flourished severall Descents in this Family , untill the beginning of Edward the fourth , and then I find it in the possession of Brent , but remained not long in this Name ; for in the eighth year of Henry the seventh , John Brent passed away the Castle and Mannor of Allington to Sir Henry Wiat one of the Privie Councel to that Prince , but his infortunate Grandchild Sir Thomas Wiat , having by his Defection in the second year of Queen Mary , forfeited it to the Crown , it remained there untill Queen Elizabeth granted it to Jo. Astley Esq ; Master of her Jewels , whose Son Sir Jo. Astley dying without Issue , it came by Descent to Sir Jacob Astley , created Lord Astley by the late King at Oxford , whose Descendant does now enjoy the Possession of it .

Alkham in the Hundred of Folkston , hath divers places in it of Account .

Malmains by vulgar Corruption of the word called Smalmains , with Hollmeade , which was ever accounted an Appendage to it , are first to be considered . In the twentieth year of Edward the third I find Thomas de Malmains Son of Nicholas de Malmains , ( who was Possessor of both these Places in Times of an elder Computation , ) paid respective Aid at making the black Prince Knight for his Lands at Alkham . But after this I find no more intelligence given me by Record of this Family , for about the beginning of Henry the fourth I discover Iohn Alkham ( who extracted his Sirname from this Parish , and it is very probable had here his Mansion , though now it have found a double Sepulcher , that of Oblivion , and its own Rubbish ) to have been possest of them both , which he held in Castle-Guard Tenure of Dover Castle , and paid a subsidiarie Supply for them in the fourth year of that Prince , at the Marriage of Blanch his Daughter ; from which temporary Assessement or Contribution , severall Parcels of Land in this County have ever since contracted the Name of Blanch-Lands . In Alkham the Signorie of both Places did reside , untill the beginning of Henry the seventh , and then they were demised by Peter Alkham to Iohn Warren Gentleman ; in which Name after they had continued untill the latter End of Henry the eighth , Malmains was passed away to Brown , who in our Memory conveyed it by Sale to Lushinton ; and Hollmeade was by the same Vicissitude annexed to the Demeasn of Wollet , a Name that is grown reverend by an Efflux of many Ages both here and at Elham .

The Mannor of Hoptons , another place considerable in Alkham . If you will search who was in elder Times possest of it , the private date , lesse Deeds will inform you , that anciently it was the Inheritance of Peter de Hall , but was not long permanent in the possession of this Name , for in the twentieth year of Edward the third , ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) it was the Inheritance of William de Bourn ; and here it seems the Title was more constant , for in this Family it was resident untill the beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was alienated to Baker of Caldham , in whom it had not long continued , but by his Daughter and Coheir it became the Inheritance of Robert Brandred , from which Name about the latter end of Edward the fourth it passed away by Sale to Brown of Bechworth Castle in Surrey , and here it fixed , untill that Age which came within the Verge of our Grandfathers Remembrance , and then it was demised to Godman , in whose Descendants the Propriety now continues .

Evering is the last place of Account in Alkham , it was the possession of a Family so called which branched from the ancient Lords of Folkston , sirnamed Averenches , whose Armes were ( as is manifest by ancient Armorials ) Or five Cheverons Gules , and these Everings , bare Or five Cheverons Azure . Wolwardus de Evering held it under the Notion and by the Service of a whole Knights Fee , in the Time of Henry the second , of the Lords of Folkston . And by a successive Chanell of many Descents hath the Title flowed so constantly in this Family , that this Seat is at this instant annexed to their Inheritance .

In this Parish is an Eyle-Bourn which rises in the bottome at Dillingore , which the Inhabitants presage to be a fatall presage either of Death or Dearth ; and in a short Distance of Time and Place , from no appearance of Head or Spring , sends forth such store of Water that a Vessell of considerable Burden may float therein ; then the Water being inforced into a Stream runs down to Chilton , and disgorges it self into that River , which meets the Sea at Dover .

Apuldore in the Hundred of Blackborn , in the year of Grace 1032. was by an especiall Licence first obtained from Canutus and Elfgiva his Queen , and given by Eadsin Bishop of Sr. Martins without Canterbury , to the Prior and Monks of Christchurch , & est de cibo corum , says the Book of that Convent ; that is , it was granted to them for a Supportation of Diet. In the eleventh year of Edward the third there was a License granted to the then Archbishop , and others by his Royall Patent , obsternere quendam antiquam Trencheam , quae ducit a Brachio Maris vocato Apledore versus Villam de Romney , those are the Words of the Record ; that is , to intercept and dam up a certain Trench or Chanell which proceeds from an Arm of the Sea called Apledore , ( for then it seems the Sea flow'd up to this place , though now it have wholly deserted it ) and leads to the Town of Romney ; But to proceed , Apledore having by the abovesaid Donation been link'd to the Ecclesiasticall Patrimony , continued wrapp'd up in that Interest , untill the Resignation of the Revenue of the Priorie of Christchurch , into the hands of K. Henry the eighth , and then he setled it by a new grant on his new erected Dean and Chapter of Christ Church .

Hornes place in this Parish was the Seat for many hundreds of years of Gentlemen of that Sirname . William Horne was one of the Conservators of the Peace in the first year of Richard the Second for this County , and Michael Horne was Sheriff of Kent in the seventh year of Henry the fourth , and held his Shrievalty at Apledore , and from him did the proprietie of this place descend to Anne Horne the last of this Name , who matched with Benedict Guldford Esquire , who in her Right , as being the sole Inheritrix of this place , became Lord of this Seat , but he denying the Oath of Supremacy , which began about the twelfth and thirteenth of Queen Elizabeth to be tendered to Romish Recusants , and sheltring himselfe by a Recesse and Flight into forrein Parts , fell under the displeasure of the Queen , and his Estate under the Fury of a praemunire ; so that this Mannor was torne away from his Interest by a Confiscation of it to the Crown , and shortly after the above mentioned Princesse granted it to her faithfull Servant George Chowte Esquire , from whom it is now descended to his great Grandchild Mr. Edward Chowt * * Lately Deceased . Esquire , a Person who for his Support of Learning in these Times , ( wherein if some whose Palates do decline it with regret and disgust , might be confirmed in that licencious Liberty which they pretend to , they would scarce leave us the Title page , to inform Posterity , that their was once Religion or Learning inhabiting amongst us , ) cannot be mentioned by the Fautors and Abettors of Literature , or at least the Pretenders to it , without some grateful acknowledgment .

Dean Court in this Parish was the Mansion of a Family who borrowed their Sirname from this Town , and were called Apledore , and sealed with a Pile surmounted with a Fesse , which was their paternal Coat , but before the latter end of Edward the third , this Family found its Sepulcher in a Female Heir , for Thomas de Apledore , dying witout Issue , Elnith his only Sister entituled her husband William Roper to his Estate here , and in the confining Marsh ; and by an uninterrupted Right derived from this Alliance , hath the title of this place been supported in the Family of Roper , for so many Descents , that it is now at last devolved to the right honorable Christopher Roper Baron of Tenham , in whom it is at this instant resident .

There was a Castle anciently here at Apledore , which when the Danes in the reign of Etheldred Father of Edmund Ironside , made this County the Scene of their Devastations , was mingled by the flame they put it into , in the year 892. in its own Rubbish , yet like a Phaenix , it rose into new shape and frame again , out of its Ashes , and continued in the Register and under the notion of the Castles and Fortresses of this County , until the year , 1380. and then ( as How relates in his Chronicle , who likewise represents the former Tragedie , ) the French making an hostile Eruption on this part of the County , made it once more a pitied and calamitous heap of flame and ruine ; out of whose dismantled reliques ( the Church now visible was not only repaired , but as some from ancient Tradition affirm , wholly reedified ; a probable Argument of the ancient Grandeur , Magnificence and Strength of this now totally-demolished Fortresse .

I had almost omitted the Mannor of Frenchay , which likewise lies within the Circle of Apledore , and had in elder Times , as appears by old evidences , Owners of that Sirname ; but the greatest Glory that it atchieved , was , that ever since the reign of Edward the third , untill the Government of Henry the eighth , it acknowledged the Family of Haut for its Proprietaries , the last of which was Sir William Haut , who concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , whereof Joan the youngest matched to Sir Thomas Wiat , shared his estate at this place , but he being attainted in the second year of Queen Mary , this was confiscated to the Crown , and lay there untill the twenty fourth of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was granted back to George Wiat Esquite , whose Son Sir Francis Wiat , not many years since , passed it away to Thomas Floyd of Gore-court in Otham Esquire , and he in the year 1636 alienated it to Sir Edward Hales of Tunstall Knight Baronet , whose Grandchild Sir Edward Hales is now in possession of it .

Apledore had anciently a Market to be observed here weekly , granted to it , by Edward the third in the thirty second year of his reign , which since is vanished into Disuse by Intermission .

Adisham in the Hundred of Downhamford , was given to the Monks of St. Augustins ( as appears by Christ Church Book ) by Ethelbald Son of Ethelbald King of Kent , Anno Domini 616. Cum Campis , Silvis , Pascuis , &c. ( as the Record mentions ) ad illam pertinentibus , ad Cibum Monachorum Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariae , liberam ab omnibus servitiis , & fiscali Tributo exceptis tribus istis Consuetudinibus , id est , Communi Labore , de quo nullus excipiatur Pontis Constructione , vel Arcis ; and whereas we frequently trace in ancient Chartularies these three Letters L. S. A. which may at first appearance seem to wrap up some gloomy and mysterious sense , they import no more but this , that Lands which were given by Charter to the Church should be Liberae sicut Adisham , that is , be fortified with the same Franchises and Liberties as Adisham Originally was . The Austins for some Hundreds of years have been Tenants for this and the Mannor of Godmersham to the Church , as if to improve and gratifie the Memory of Augustin their first Abbot the Monks of Christ Church were determined to plant some of their Patrimony in that Name , though perhaps but of accidental Coincidence .

Aldington is the next place to be remembred in the Hundred of Street , and Bircholt Franchise more eminent , because here are chosen the Officers yearly relating to the Mannors of Romney Mersh . Queen Edgiva mother to King Edmund , and King Edred gave this Town to Christ Church in Canterbury , in Grosse with other Lands Anno Dom. 961. But in the General Survey of the Churches Lands in the Conquerours Time , the Arch-Bishops had twenty one Sullings or Plough-Lands there , and was valued together with the Appurtenances at Stouting and Lyming at 107 l. and 25 Burgesses held of it . The Arch-Bishops of Canterbury , did usually retire to their Mannor-house here , and had both a Park empailed , and a Chase for Deer , called Aldington Frith , by which Name we express Places where Deer ranged at large , as in a Forrest . But when the Kings of England intended to pare off something of the Revenue and Power of the Arch-Bishops , which was in their Estimate of too vast and wide an Extent ; this Mannor , with many other , was passed away by Exchange to the Crown in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth , by Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury .

Ruffins-Hill in this Parish , was the Seat of the Godfrey's ancient Gentlemen , whose Estate by two Daughters and Coheirs came to the Clerks of Kingsnoth , and the Blechendens . But whether descended from Godfrey le Falconer the Son of Balder , unto whom K. Henry the second assigned , gave , and granted much Land in these Parts , to hold in Serjeantie , by the Service of keeping two Hawks for the King and his Successors , I cannot positively say . Much of the Land lay in Hurst , and the Mannor is called Falconers Hurst ; and those that for many Generations held it , resolved into the Name of Michel-Grove ; whose Heir General brought this and other fair Demeasns to Shelley's Ancestor of Michel-Grove , in whose Name it resides at present . The Coat very well alluded to their ancient Name and Tenure , and is Quarterly Argent and Azure over all a Falcon Or. Hurst was formerly a Parish ; and the Church was dedicated to St. Leonard , but it is now languished into Decay and Ruine , and the Inhabitants assemble for the Performance of divine Offices at Aldington .

Ainsford in the Hundred of Axtane lieth upon the River of Darent , and gave Seat and Sirname to a worthy Family that continued till the Time of Edward the second : It hath the Ruines of an ancient Castle , which reckons them and the Arsicks to have been the Founders .

There is another Seat in this Parish of venerable Antiquity , called , Arkesden , whose owners bore the same for their Sirname , and were of the Number of the Grand Assise in King John's Time ; after them the Cobhams were possessors of it , and Reginald de Cobham had License the fourteenth of Edward the third , to Castelate his House , and paid respect of Aid for the same the twentieth of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight : From the Cobhams of Sterborough it came by the Heir General to the Lord Burgh or Borough , from whom by Sale it devolved its Right on Sir Samuel Leonard Father of Sir Stephen Leonard , which Sir Stephen enjoys it at this Day .

Southcourt and Mayfield are two Mannors lying in the Precincts of this Parish , and did anciently relate to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , from whom by exchange they passed over to Dunham , and from that Family to the Wiats , in which Name and Family they remained , till upon the Attainder of Sir Thomas Wiat they escheated to the Crown , which by Grant invested their Right and Interest in J. Leonard of Chevening , from whom they are now come down to be the Possession of Sir Stephen Leonard of West Wickham .

There is yet another ancient Seat within the Verge of this Village , whose Name is Maplescombe , and partly is situated in this , and partly in Kingsdown . This place although it now carry a desolate Aspect by reason of its Ruine and Depopulation , was anciently of a high Repute and Estimate . William de Chellerfield ( he whom I suppose lies enter'd in Halsted Church ) held it ( as Testa de Nevil informs me , ) in the twentieth year of Henry the third , but his Family had not been possest of it untill the latter End of Edward the second , when the Vicissicude of Sale carried the Title off to Rokesley of Rokesley in North-Crey , and Roger the Son of Thomas de Rokesley held the Lordship by a whole Knights Fee in the twentieth year of Edward the third , of Richard de Rosse of Horton Kerkbie , and he held it of the Successor of Robert de Arsick , and he of the King ; yet I find some part of it to have acknowledged the Signorie of the Family of Merworth , for Roger de Merworth in the eighteenth year of Edward the first ; obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Lands at this place ; and in the fortieth year of Edward the third , John de Merworth , this Mans Grandchild , was by purchase wholly invested in the Possession , and held it at his Decease , which was in the forty ninth year of that Prince , and John de Malmains was his Heir , who passed it away to Nicholas de Brember , of whom I shall speak more at Merworth ; and he being attainted in the tenth year of Richard the second , there was a return made in the twelfth of that Prince , that he held this Mannor at his Conviction , upon which that Prince in the thirteenth year of his Reign grants it to John de Hermensthorpe , and he not long after passed it away to Richard Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundel , and his Son Thomas Earl of Arundel dying without Issue Male 1416. Joan one of his Sisters and Coheits brought it to be the Possession of her Husband Will . Beauchamp Baron of Abergavenny , whose Son likewise dying without Issue Male in the ninth of Henry the fifth , Elizabeth his sole Inheritrix united it to the Patrimony of Edward Nevil , and in his Descendants did the Title remain , untill our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was conveyed to Lovelace , and is now by Margaret Sole Heir of Richard Lovelace annexed to the Demeasn of Mr. ....... Cooke of Lanham in Suffolk .

Easthall in this Parish was parcel of the Revenue of Rokesley of Rokesley , but when Sir Richard de Rokesley determined with the Name in a Female Inheritrix , She , by matching with Sir Thomas de Poynings , entituled that Name to the Proprietie and Jurisdiction of this place , in which Family it continued untill the fourteenth year of Henry the eighth , and then it being found after a serious Inquisition , that Sir Edward Poynings , who deceased the twelfth year of that Princes Government , had neither lawful Issue , nor any Collateral Alliance , which could start a Title to his Estate , it escheated to the Crown in , whose Demeasn this Mannor was locked up untill King Henry the eighth granted it to Sir Roger Cholmeley , who suddenly alienated his Interest here to Sir Martin Bowes ; and he the first year of Edward the sixth , conveyed it again to Percival Hart of Lullingston Esquire , in whose Successor , Mr. William Hart of Lullingston Esquire , the Title is now resident .

Littlemote and Petham are two Mannors likewise in this Parish , which augmented the Revenue of Sibell , a Family of deep Antiquity as any in this Track , who were for many Hundred years possest of Petham , and of the House which is called Littlemote likewise , as is evident by their Coat Armour viz. a Tiger viewing himself in a Mirrour , or Spigel , both carved and embossed very anciently in Wood , as likewise represented to the view in old coloured Glass , though much of the Land that relates to this Mansion devolved to Sibel about the Beginning of Henry the seventh , by the Heir of Cowdale , whose Arms , viz. Arg. a Cheveron , Gules between three Bulls Heads Cabosed Sables , both empailed and quartered with this Family , are yet visible in many Places of the House ; finally , after these two Places had so many Descents been fastned to this Family , they came down at last to John Sibel Esquire , who concluded in a Female Heir called Elizabeth , matched to Mr. Robert Bosvil Ancestor to Thomas Bosvil Esquire , who in Right of this Alliance is now Heir apparent to the Signorie of them .

There is one part of the Church is called Arsicks Chancel , and divers Lands hereabouts are held of the Honour of Arsick by Knights Service , and Robert de Arsick that came in with William the Conqueror , was one of those that were Assistants to John de Fiennes for the securer Guard of Dover . Castle . He had eighteen Knights Fees assigned to him , of which these lay in Kent , viz. Fremingham ( idest ) Farningham , one Knights Fee , Mayplescombe one Knights Fee , Nutstted in Kent one Knights Fee , Combe in Kent one Knights Fee , Bekewel in Kent one Knights Fee . The rest lay most in Oxfordshire , and some in Dorset , Wilts , and Lincolnshire . In the Reign of Henry the second , Manasser de Arsick was of eminent Note in the County of Oxford , and Mr. Camden in describing that County , affirms the principal Seat of their Barony to be at Coggs , and that the Daughter and Heir was married to Hubert de Burgo , who was Earl of Kent .

Alhallows in the Hundred of Hoo , with the appendant Mannor of Shawsted , did anciently celebrate the Memory of Delapole ; John De la Pole held it in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and paid a respective supply for it at making the Black Prince Knight , and in this Family was the possession permanent untill the Reign of Henry the fourth , and then it was transmitted by sale to Zouch of Haringworth , written in ancient Court Rolls and other Muniments De la Zouch ; and here the Title was resident untill it was by Descent wafted along to John Lord De la Zouch , who being a great Assertor of the Cause and Quarrel of Richard the third against Henry the seventh , like some noble Fabrick , in whose Joints the Raine hath dwelt , and supplanted the Contextures of its Pillars , fell under the Misfortune of his Royal Master , and sunk in the Ruines of the fatal Field of Bosworth , and in the first year of Henry the seventh , being attainted by Parliament , his Patrimony escheated to the Crown , and then that Prince granted his Estate here to his faithful Partisan , Sir Henry Wiat , whom he had newly taken into his private Councels , and from him did it successively come down to his Grandchild Sir Thomas Wiat , whose Estate here was much improved and augmented by the Addition of Windlehill , another Mannor in this Parish , which as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 82. did in the forty seventh year of Edward the third , belong to the Abbot of Reding , and upon the suppression of that Cloister , by Henry the eighth , was by his liberal Concession made Parcel of his Inheritance , and remained so until the Reign of Q. Mary , and then being attainted and convicted of High Treason in the second year of that Princess , his Estate here fell back to the Crown , and continued there untill K. James in the Beginning of his Reign passed away Shawsted and Windlehill to the City of London , and they again by their Trustees invested the Propriety of them by Sale in Sir William Garaway of London , Father to Sir Henry Garaway Knight , in whose Descendants the Title of them is still resident .

Place House in this Parish is secondly to be remembred , which was anciently part of the Demeasn of the illustrious Family of the Pimps of Pimps Court in the Parish of Loose near Maidston , and Philip de Pimp was one of those Men at Arms which the Prior of Rochester was to furnish out for the Guard of the Seacoast at Genlade or Yenlade in the Hundred of Hoo , in the eleventh year of Edward the third . In Times of a more modern Inscription I find Thomas Pimpe the elder to be Buried in Alhollows in Hoo , and that he made his Will the twenty seventh of August , ( as appears by the Repertorie of Rochester Diocess , ) and in the fourteenth of Edward the fourth , William and John were his Sons . Elizabeth unmaried , Margery Lady Prioress of Malling , and Alice a Nun there , Sir William Hampton about that Time bought much Land of him ; He ( I mean this Sir William was Lord Maior of London in the Time of Edw●rd the fourth , ) but whether this Place was part of this Purchase or not , there is no Light from any publick Intelligence can illustate it , certain I am that the Coppingers imediately almost after this Time became possessors of the Place , and the Proprietie is now by Female Right of a Daughter and Heir of a Branch of these Coppingers resolved into Sir Harbotle Grimston of Essex .

Alresford anciently written Aiglesford hath Places of considerable Animadversion within the Limits and Boundaries of it . The Priory or rather now the Skeleton of it , was founded by Richard Lord Grey of Codnor , Anno Dom. 1240 , in the twenty fifth of Henry the third for Carmelite or White Friers in Honour of the Virgin Mary ; the Mother of this Lord was Isolda Daughter and Coheir of Hugh Bardolph Lord of Hoo in Kent , from whom he inherited fair Possessions in this County : And many of his Posterity , in Relation to that Particular , were buried in the Conventual Church of this Monastery . Upon the suppression it was granted with the Royalty of it by Henry the eighth to Sir Thomas Wiat , from whom it descended to his Son Sir Thomas Wiat , upon whose Defection , this being with other Lands escheated to the Crown , Queen Elizabeth granted it to Mr. J. Sidley , and he bequeathed to his Brother Sir Will . Sidley , and from that Name it was lately passed by Sale unto Sir Peter Ricaut , whose Heir 1657 , conveyed it by the same Vicissitude to Mr. Caleb Banks of Maidston .

Tottington and Eccles two Mannors in this Parish , Richard Sonne of Malger de Rokesley , gave Tiths of Tottington to the Priory of Rochester ; See Textus Roffensis . anciently belonged to the Family of Rokesley , of whose Heir General it came to of Poynings , and Richard Lord Poynings ; the eleventh of Rich. the second , held the Mannor of Tottington , which with Eccles one of his Ancestors in the Time of King Henry the sixth , gave in frank Marriage with his Daughter to J. Palmer of the Courtlodge in Snodland Esquire ; whose Posterity after they had held them some space of Time , sold them to Warcup , descended from the Warcups of Cumberland , in which Name the Tenure was not long resident , for by Sale it was alienated to Sidley of Southfleet , and his Successor suddenly after by the like Fatalitie invested Ricaut in Eccles , and Madox in Tottington .

Cosington is a Seat of much Eminence in this Parish , and gave Residence and Sir-name to a Knightly Familie of the same . And King Edward the first rewarded Sir Stephen de Cosenton whom he had made Banneret in the twenty eighth of his Reign , for his signal Service at Carlaverock in Scotland , with a Charter of Free Warren to all his Lands at Cosenton Acris , and South-Burton vulgarly called South-Blabden in Elham in Kent . The Mannor it self holdeth by Knights Service of the Barony of Rosse of Horton Kirbie , from whom they received it by ancient Feoffement , and bear in similitude of their Lords the Rosses , the same Charge in their Arms , viz. Azure three Roses Or. The Arms of Rosse being Or three Roses Gules ; But when in the Beginning of Hen. the eighths Government , the Fatality of Time had concluded this Family in three Daughters and Coheirs married to Duke , Hamon , and Wood ; this Mannor of Cosenton accrued by Co-partition to Duke , in which Name it hath ever since resided . There was a Free Chappel belonging to this Mansion founded , as private Evidences advertise me , by Sir Stephen de Cosenton , which is now crumbled into so desolate an Heap of Rubbish , that we can hardly trace out its Ruines even amidst its Ruines . There was another Free Chappel in his Parish annexed to Tottington by Richard Lord Poynings in the eleventh year of Rich. the second , which hath been so dismantled by the impressions of Time , and the fury of the Elements , that there is very little Testimony or Evidence remaining that this Oratorie ever had a Being .

Preston in this Parish of Alresford is a Seat of that venerable Antiquity , and hath for so many Descents been incorporated into the Demeasn of Colepeper , that it is questionable which is the ancient Cradle or Seminary of this Family either Bayhall in Pepenbury , or Preston in Alresford ; Sir Thomas Colepeper as the old Evidences and Muniments of this Name instruct me , was of this Family , and was Governour of Winchelsey under Edward the second , by whom he was beheaded for defending that Town in behalf of the Barons then combined in an hostile League against him : Walter de Colepeper flourished under Edward the first and Edward the second , and seal'd with a bend engrailed , which is still the paternal Coat-Armour of this Family ; which I the rather mention , because these Deeds are the first of that Nature which I have seen since Sealing with Coats of Arms grew customary in this Nation , and argues him to be a Man of eminence in this County , as did that spreading Revenue likewise of which he died possest , not onely here , but at Farleigh , Peckham , Wrotham , and divers other places , in the first year of Edward the third . John Colepeper was a Judge in the Reign of Henry the sixth , and concluded in a Daughter and Heir , who by matching with Harrington , added a considerable Supplement to the paternal Revenue of that noble Family . I shall not more dilate my self in this Discourse , it is enough that I inform the Reader , that this ancient Seat which hath been for so many Centuries of years under the Signorie of this Name , is yet so constant to the Interest of this Family , that it is at this instant knit to the Inheritance of Sir Richard Colepeper Knight and Baronet .

Roes Place in Alresford pretends to a deep Root in Antiquity likewise , as being the Seat and Original of the ancient Family of Roe , and from hence the Roes of Chafford in Ashurst , those of Essex , and he that was Lord Maior of London , have primitively in a full Channel flowed out ; and in this Family was the possession lodged , untill that Age we style our Grandfathers , and then it was carried off by Sale to Taylor ; which Family not many years since concluding in a Female Inheritrix , She by matching with Warcup , hath espoused the possession of this place to that Name and Family .

Near this place , Vortimer the valiant British King gave Battle to Hengist the Saxon , after he had given a Victorious overthrow to the Britons at Creyford ; in which conflict Horsa and Catigern , Brethrento both the Generals , were stain , and the Saxons repulsed into the Isle of Thanet , their first assigned Habitation , not daring to enter and reinvade the Continent whilest Vortimer survived . Catigern was interr'd in that Plain which spreads it self on the Hanging of that Hill , which looks down on Cosenton , where to this Day his Monument remains , being four vast Stones pitched somewhat after the Mannor of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain , but of greater Breadth then they , though not so thick or long , whereby it appears like a small Sheepcote , and is vulgarly styled Cits-Cotehouse , which is graphically here intitated . The like Monument was erected for Horsa at Horsted near Rochester which storms and Tempests under the Conduct of Time have utterly extinguished .

monument to Catigern viewed by two men, one holding a shepherd's crook; sheep grazing off to the right Joanni Wroth de Aula Blendonensi in Bexley Armigero : graphicā hanc Jumuli Catigernici Delineationem suis Sumptibus Aere incisam . Thomas Philipott Lubens devovet .

Ash by Sandwich lies in the Hundred of Wingham , and contains many Places within its Precincts very considerable . The first is Welmestone , which is situated partly in this Parish , and partly in Wingham . Though it be now obscure , it was in elder Times made more conspicuous , by being one of the Seats of Residence of the Noble Family of Septuans , William de Septnans or Sepuans was in the possession of it at his Death , which was in the twenty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Ese . Num. 5. and in this Family did the Title of this place by the steps of several Descents pass along untill the latter End of Henry the eighth , and then it went from this Family by Exchange for other Land to Sir Walter Henley , who not long after conveyed the Demeasn Land or Mansion-House to Alday , and the Mannor it self to Solley ; in Alday the demised premises had not been long resident , when they were sold to Mr. Benedict Barnham , by one of whose four Coheirs , the Fee-Simple devolved to the Earl of Castlehaven , whose descendant conveyed it to Brigham .

Goshall in this Parish must not be forgotten , it was the Residence anciently of a Family of that Sirname , made more eminent by the production of Sir John Goshall a worthy Knight , who flourished in the Reign of Edward the third and Richard the second , and lyes entombed in Ash Church , in compleat Armour , and his Skeleton underneath , his Arms are also depicted in his Shield , viz. Azure a Lyon Rampant within Semeè of Crosse Crosselets Argent . The Heir Generall of this Family was wedded to St. Nicholas of the Isle of Thanet , and after the Title had for some Ages setled in this Family , it was by a Daughter and Heir transmitted to John Dynley Esquire , whose Descendant about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth conveyed it to Roper , Ancestor to Christopher Roper Baron of Tenham , who hath lately alienated his Interest in it to Sir Edw. Monins .

Checquers in this Parish of Ash , was a very ancient Seat of a Branch of the Family of Septuans , who from their Residence here , contracted the Sirname of Checquer or Atchecquer , and so were stiled in severall old Records ; and after this Mansion had remained a Series of some Generations in the Name of Septuans and Checquer , it shrunk into a Daughter and Heir matched with Alday ; in which Family , after it had some Time resided it was by Sale lately passed away to Mr. Tho. Harfleet , and now owns his Descendants for its instant Possessors .

Hells Twitham is swoln up to some Repute since it was the Revenue of the Hells , a Family of generous Rank in this County , but stayed not long in the possession , for about the Beginning of Edward the third , they had surrendered their Interest to Twitham , a noble Family , and of deep Extraction , in this Teritory ; Bertram de Twitham died possest of it in the third year of Edward the third ; Alanus de Twitham his Son was likewise found invested in it at his Decease , which was in the twenty fifth year of the abovesaid Prince ; and lastly , Alanus the Son of Theobald Twitham held it in the fourth year of Richard the second , and left it to Mawd his sole Daughter and Heir , by whom the Title was transplanted into Simon Septuans , in whose Family the Proprietie hath for many Ages , even untill this instant , by an unbroken Link been seated .

The next place which obviates my Discovery , is Overland , the which in the twenty fifth year of Henry the third , was by the Royall Charter of that Prince granted to Bertram de Crioll , and so being made Parcell of his Demeasne , it remained fastned to his Interest untill the Beginning of Edward the first , and then it was passed away to Leybourn , and was held by Juliana de Leybourn , the Heir generall of Roger Lord Leybourn ; who in relation to that vast Patrimony her Birth intituled her to , might be justly stiled the Infanta of Kent , and shee was first espoused to John de Hastings , and secondly to William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , who held it at his Death in her Right , which was in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third , but shee deceased without Issue , in the forty third year of the abovesaid Prince , by either of them , and there being none , that by the strength of any Collaterall Alliance , could pretend any Interest or Title to the Estate , it escheared to the Crown , and lay there untill Richard the second bestowed it by Grant on Sir Simon de Burley Knight of the Garter , and Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports ; but he being attainted in the tenth year of that King , it returned to the Crown again , and then it was by the the same Prince setled on the Abby of Childrens Langley , and was involved in the Patrimony of that Cloister , untill the generall Suppression in the Reign of Henry the eighth , and then it was granted in the thirty fifth year of that Prince to Sir Thomas Moile and Sir Walter Henley , and they not long after conveyed their joynt Interest in it to Harfleet , Who almost in our Fathers Remembrance alienated it to Bargrave , from whom the same devolution brought it over to Solley , who not many years after transmitted it by Sale to Mr. Jo. Ward of London , whose Widow , Mrs. Katharin Ward now holds it in Right of Dower .

Goldstanton in this Parish is a second place of Note , and was as high as the Beam of any Evidence will guide me to discover the Patrimony of Leybourn , Roger de Leybourn , who was in the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen who were pardoned by the Pacification , called Dictum de Kenelworth , for seeking to support with seditious Arms the Cause and Quarrell of Simon de Montfort , held it in the fiftieth year of Henry the third , and from him did it descend to his great Grandchild Juliana de Leybourn , who dying without Issue or Alliance in the forty third year of Edward the third , this with Overland escheated to the Crown , but was granted out again by Richard the second to Sir Simon de Burley , who being attainted and convicted of high Treason in the tenth year of his Reign , that Prince link'd it by a new Donation to the Abby of Childrens Langley . But yet I find that in the Reign of Henry the fourth , Richard Cliderow ( who was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year and most part of the fith year of that Prince , and then again in the sixth year of Hen. the fifth , ) held it I suppose only as a Lessee , and kept his Shrivealty at this Place ; a Man he was of no contemptible Account in those Times , as I shall discover more amply at little Betshanger which was his capital Seat . But to return , after this Mannor had made its aboad in the Demeasne of the above mentioned Covent , untill the Dissollution in the Reign of Henry the eighth , it was then torn off , and granted to Tho. Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex , upon whose Attaint , in the thirty second year of the above said Prince it escheated back to the Crown , and then it was granted in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth , to Vincent Engham Esquire , whose Descendant Sir Tho. Engham , some few years transplanted his Concernment in it by Sale into Mr. ......... Courcelis of London .

Nevills Fleet in this Parish was more anciently called Butlers Fleet , as being parcell of the Revenue of that Family , and the Book of Aid in the Exchequer , which makes an enumeration of the ancient Owners , mentions one Richard de Boteler , to have been its ancient Possessor ; but in the twentienth year of Edward the third , when that Book was taken , William Lord Latimer of Corbie , Knight of the Garter , and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports held it ; and in the thirty eighth obtained by the Charter of that Prince , a Market to be held at Ark on the Thursday , and a three days Fair at our Lady Day ; and from him , as in divers Records it is evident , did it acquire the Name of Latimers Fleet , but stayed not long under that Title , for he determined in Eleanor his Daughter and Heir matched to John Lord Nevill , who in her Right became Lord of this Mannor , and from him did it contract the Title of Nevils Fleet , and lay couched in the Patrimony of this Name untill the Beginning of Edward the fourth , and then it was alienated to Cromer , and James Cromer in the eleventh year of Henry the seventh , alienated it to John Isaac , from whom not long after it was brought over by Purchase to Kendall , and in that Name it fixed , untill the Beginninig of Henry the eighth , and then it was alienated to Sir John Fogge , and he before the end of that Prince conveyed it to Ralph , in which Name it was resident untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was demised to Spracklin , and Sir Adam Spracklin almost in Times under our Fathers Cognisance passed it away to Harfleet , in which Family you may at this instant find it .

Molands in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so called , who before the end of Edward the second were worn out , and then it became the possession of Harfleet , aliás Septuans , who much improved the House with additional Buildings , where the Arms of this Family do stand yet in Panes of very old coloured Glasse , with this Motto annexed , Dissipabo inimicos Regis mei ut paleam ; alluding either to their Coat , which was three Fans , such as they fan and winnow Corn with , or else to William de Septuans , who dyed in the year 14011. and warred , as the Records of this Family inform me under Edward the third in France , and by his Will registred in the Prerogative Office at Canterbury , which I mention for the Novelty of it , he gives Manumission or Freedome to diverse of his Slaves or Natives ; and Sir William Septuans was his Son , who lyes buryed in Christ Church in Canterbury , and as his Epitaph on his Tomb instructs me , dyed in the year 1448. and from him did the Title stream in this Name , untill the Reign of Henry the eighth , and then I find this Seat in the possession of Robert Read ; but it was not long out of the Name , for about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , I find it reinvested again in Harfleet , and remains an eminent Mansion of this Family at present .

Many of this Sirname lye buryed in Ash Church , for those three Altar Tombs in the Church yard , and those on each side the North Dore , were the Repositories or Exchequers , that treasured up the Remains of divers of this Family , all which had their Figures and Arms insculp'd in Brasse , annexed to their Sepulchers , which by the impression of Times , and the Assaults of Sacrilegious Hands are quite dismantled , and torn off .

Wingham Barton is another eminent Mannor in this Parish , which belonged to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ; and when John Peckham founded his Colledge at Wingham in the year 1282. there was an Exhibition setled on that Seminary or Brotherhood , issuing out of this Manuor , from whence it is supposed by some it contracted the Name of Wingham Barton ; though I rather conjecture it was called so from its Situation , in opposition to another of that Name , called Firmins Barton , lying by Canterbury . But to proceed , this continued Archiepiscopal , untill the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was exchanged by Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , with the Crown , and rested there , untill Q. Elizabeth granted it to Sir Roger Manwood , whose son Sir Peter Manwood passed it away by his Trustees not many years since to Sir William Curteen of London , and he gave it in Dower with his daughter matched to Henry late Earle of Kent , who upon his decease ordered it to be sold to discharge some Debts , and was accordingly not long since by his Countess conveyed by Sale to Mr. James Thurbarne of Sandwich , one of the Cinque Ports , Son of James Thurbarne Esquire , a Justice of Peace in this County in the Reign of K. James , whose Ancestors from 1331 have continued very eminent in the Cinque Ports , especially in Hasting and Romney , as also in Romney Mersh , as appears by divers ancient Records . But the ancient Mannor-House was in the fourth year of Edward the sixth granted to Sir Anthony St. Leger , and his Descendant Sir Anthony St. Leger of Boughton , about the Beginning of King Charles passed it away to Mr. Vincent Denn of Wenderton , who gave it to his Nephew Mr. Thomas Denn , and he by Testament setled it on his Brother Mr. John Denn , who dying without Issue bequeathed it to be shared by his four Sisters , by whom it is designed to be sold to pay Debts and Legacies .

Chilton lies likewise in Ash , and claims our Remembrance , because it yielded a Seat , and afforded a Sirname to William de Chilton , who held it at his Decease , which was in the thirty first year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 19. But after his Exit , it dwelt not long in his Name ; for in the fourth year of Edward the third , William Baude died seised of it , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 25. And here again the Title was as fickle , and unstable , for in the thirty seventh year of Edward the third , I find the possession was departed from Baude , and cast into the Patrimony of Thomas Wolton , who at that Time held it at his Death . Rot. Esc . Num. 13. But after this Family went out , I find the Inheritance more fixed and permanent , for by divers old Court-Rolls that were taken in the latter End of Edward the third , I discover William de Septuans whose successors were since called Harfleet , to be possest of it , and from him is the Propriety drawn through the successive Series of many Descents to the Harfleets of this Age , who are still entituled to the Signory of it .

Hells is in the Register also of those Mannors which are within the Circle of this Parish , and gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of no shallow Antiquity in this Tract ; Thomas de Hells obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannor of Hells in the eighteenth year of Edward the first ; Bertram de Hells was Lieuetenant of Dover Castle in the Reign of Edward the second , under Reginald Lord Cobham , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and Constable of Dover Castle : Gilbert de Hells of Hells Court , was Sheriff of Kent the thirtieth of Edward the third , and in this Name did the Proprietie lodge untill the Reign of Edward the fourth , and then it was by sale transplanted into Wroth ; and the Title there setled untill the latter End of Henry the seventh , and then it was by the same Vicissitude carried off to Peake , where the instant Inheritance is resident .

Laverocks is another Seat in Ash , possest by Worthy Men of that Name , one of them lies buried Cross legged on the North-side of the Quire , with his Arme placed on his Shield ; finally , after this Family had for Descents been Proprietaries of this place , it came to be possest by Anthony Laverock who deceased without Issue Male , so that his Estate here came the eighteenth of Henry the seventh by Parnel his Daughter and Heir , to be possest , by Edward Monins Esquire , and they both not long after passed it away to Peake , in whose Posterity and Name , the Title is yet remaining .

Fleet is the last Mannor in Ash , which is ennobled by having as ( high as any Track of Record can guide us to a Discovery ) the Earls of Oxford for Proprietaries ; Hugh de Vere Earl of Oxford held it at his Death , which was in the forty eighth year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 26. After him it came down to Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford , his Son , and he likewise enjoyed it at his Departure , which was in the twenty fourth year of Edw. the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 62. In the fifth year of Edw. the third Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford , was possessed of it at his Decease ; Rot. Esc . Num. 71. In Ages of a nearer Approach unto us , Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland and Earl of Oxford held it , but he attempting to support the waning and declining Prerogative of Richard the second against the Assaults which some of the potent Nobility endevoured to make upon it , in the tenth year of that Princes Government , was ruined in a Battle commenced near Burford , after which he attempting to decline the Fury of that Field by Flight , was infortunately drowned . After whose untimely Decease this Mannor being folded up in the rest of his Estate , was seised upon as forfeited to the Crown in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . 34. Parte secunda . But it seems it was restored by Henry the fourth , for Matilda this Mans Mother , wife of Thomas Earl of Oxford held it at her Death , which was in the fourteenth year of Henry the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 17. from it passed along to John Earl of Oxford , who so vigorously asserted the Interest of the House of Lancaster at the Battle of Barnet , where his Valour was ruinous to him , for his Army was discomfited , and the great Leader of that Day , the Earl of Warwick , disdaining to out-live so black and finister a Mis-fortune , found his Sepulcher in the Carnage of that Field , but he was reserved for better Times , having provided for his safety by a timely Escape ; he was afterwards attainted in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 28. and this Mannor as an Escheat annexed to the Royal Revenue , where it made its abode untill the first year of K. Henry the seventh , and then that Prince after Bosworth Field ( where he obtained both the Crown and Victory together , principally by the Courage and Conduct of the above mentioned Earl ) restored this Mannor to this worthy Person , as a guerdon of so great Obligations ; and in this Family did it afterwards without any Interruption continue untill the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth , and then Gurson , which was a principal part of it , was sold by John Earl of Oxford , to Hamon , and the Residue of this Mannor to Peyton and Harfleet ; in which Families the Interest of this Mannor thus resolved and split into Parcels is at this instant resident .

Richborough Castle called sometimes Ratesborough , though now it be onely eminent by those majestick Ruines , which at distance court the Eye of the Beholder ; yet in Ages of a more reverend Inscription , it was of more considerable Account . Ausonius in his Poems mentions one Flavius Sanctius , who was Commander in Chief of this Fortress , as appears by this Distich .

Militiam nullo qui Turbine sedulus egit , Praeside laelatus quo Rutupinus Ager .

And in another Distich he Records the Death of his Uncle Contentus , who paid the last Debt he owed to Nature at this Place , upon whose Ashes he drops this Memorial .

Et Patruos Elegia meos reminiscere Cantus , Contentum Tellus quem Rutupina tegit .

If you will hear more of this Castle , I shall represent it to you as Leland describes it in the thirtieth year of Hen. the eighth , at which Time he visited several Parts of this County : The Site of the old Town or Castle ( sayes he ) is wonderful fair upon a Hill , the Walls which remain there yet be in compass about almost as much as the Tower of London , they have been very high , thick , strong , and well embattled , the Matter of them is Flint , marvailous and long Bricks , both white and red , of the British Fashion ; The Ciment was made of the Sea , and small pibble . There is a great likelyhood that the goodly Hill about the Castle , and especially towards Sandwich hath been well inhabited , Corn gr●ws there in marvailous plenty ; and in going to Plough , there hath been Time out of Mind , and now is , found more Antiquities of Romane Money , then in any place else of England .

Surely Reason speaks that this should be Rutupinum , for besides the Name somewhat toucheth , the very near passage from Calis Cliffs , or Calis , was to Ratesborough and now is to Sandwich , which is about a Mile off , though now Sandwich be not celebrated , because of Goodwin Sands , and the Decay of the Haven : There is a good Flight shot off from Ratesborough toward Sandwich , a great Dike cast in a round Compass , as if it had been for Defence of Men of War , the Compass of the Ground within is not much above an Acre , and it is very hollow by casting up the Earth ; They call this place their Little Borough , within the Castle is a little Paroch Church of St. Augustine , and an Hermitage ; I had Antiquities of the Hermit , who is an Industrious Man ; not far from the Hermitage is a Cave where Men have sought and digged for Treasure , I saw it by Candle within , wherein were Conies , it was so streight , that I had no mind to creep far in . In the North-side of the Castle is an Head in the Wall , now sore defaced by the weather , they call it Q. Berthas Head ; near to that place , hard by the Wall , was a Pot of Roman Money lately found . Thus far He. The Ancient Lords of the Castle were the Earls of Oxford , and Edward Earl of Oxford in the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth alienated it to Gant .

Ash juxta Faukham , lies in the Hundred of Acstane , anciently written Clacstane , and was in elder Times the Inheritance of the Latimers , William de Latimer held it in the thirtieth year of Edward the first , and by the Royal Indulgence of that Prince obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannor of Ash which he held of Roger de Mowbray . After the Latimers were worn out , the noble Family of Grandison succeeded in the possession , and Otho de Grandison held it , as appears by the Book of Aid , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight , by the fourth part of a Knights Fee : But after this , there is little Evidence that it was long constant to the Interest of this Family , for in the Reign of Richard the second , it was wrapped up in the Demeasn of Cressel , a Family that were entituled to a large Revenue , both at Chiselhurst , Hartley , and elsewhere in this Track , but it seems took no deep root at this place , for in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , the Knights Hospitalers held it at the Marriage of Blanch , that Princes Daughter , but whether they had it by Purchase or Exchange from Cressell , the Record in the Exchequer does not specifie ; and here it became fixed and was esteemed as one of the principal Mannors relating to their Order in this County , untill the Reign of Hen. the eighth , and then in the thirty seventh year of that Prince , not without much contest and strugling , this was with the rest of their Revenue surrendred , and being made parcel of the Income of the Crown , K. Edw. the sixth about the second year of his Reign granted it to Sir Martin Bowes , and he had Issue Will . Bowes , who determined in two Daughters and Coheirs ; Eliz. matched to Will . Buggin , and Ann married to Sir Edmund Fowler , who divided his Patrimony ; and this upon the partition , was united to the Revenue of Fowler , and continues still to acknowledge his descendants for Proprietaries .

South-Ash is another Mannor in this Parish , which had Owners in elder Times of that Name , for in the Book of Aid , I find that John at South-Ash paid an auxiliary supply for his Mannor of South-Ash at making the Black Prince Knight ; but it is possible this Mans original Name was Hodsoll , and borrowed this Name from the Situation and Position of his Habitation , which was Southerly ; and that which induces me to this Conjecture is , that upon a perusall of the original Evidences , I find that the Family of Hodsoll , was long before possessors of this Mannor , a particular Series of whom I could discover to the Reader , but that I will not clog this Treatise with superfluities , nor is this Mannor departed from the Signorie of this Name , but is at this instant involved in the patrimony of Mr. William Hodsoll .

Hodsoll and Halywell are two other little Mannors in Ash , whereof the last hath been the Seat of Hodsoll , who borrowed their Sirname from the first many hundred years ; and in Relation to this assumed the bearing of three Stone Fountains , two and one , such as used to be dedicated to some Saint , and were frequented anciently by such who reposed any Confidence in his vertue and miraculous efficacie , whose Name they bore ; and of this Figure was ●hat Stone Well at Brackley commonly called St. Rumbals Well , much frequented in the misty Times of Popery , for the Cure of sore Eyes , and other Maladies , and that this was the ancient Coat of this Family is most certain , for William Hodsoll , who in severall Deeds writ himself Esquire , both in the Reign of Henry the fifth , and Henry the sixth , sealed with the three stone Fountains only ; but now I know not upon what consideration the Fesse Wavee is added ; so that that the Coat is now Azure a Fesse Wavee between three stone Fountains Argent : But to proceed , as Hodsoll and Halywell have for so many Generations owned the Title of that Name and Family , so hath no Vicissitude of Time so carryed off the Propriety of them , but that they are still the present Demeasne of Mr. William Hodsoll .

North-Ash is another Mannor in this Parish , which hath been accounted a Limb of the great Mannor of St. Johns at Sutton at Hone , and upon the Suppression of the Alberge of the Knights Hospitallers here in England , who for many hundreds of years had owed this Mannor , was by Henry the eighth granted to Sir Maurice Dennis , by whose Coheir it came to Wrote , and he passed it away to Thomas Smith Esquire , who upon his Decease gave it to his second Son Sir Tho. Smith , in whose Descendants the Interest of it is wrapped up at present .

Scotgrove is the last place of Account in Ash , it was in Ages of a very high Ascent , the Estate of a Family called Torpell . Mabilia Torpell , Widow of John de Torpell , who held it in the Reign of Henry the third , dyed in the enjoyment of it , in the Time of Edward the first , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 27. In Times of a lower Gradation , I find this Family vanished , and then this Mannor came to be under the Signorie of Catwick , and John de Catwick held it , and paid respective Aid for it ; ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) at making the black Prince Knight . After this Family had deserted the possession of this place , I discover by some old Deeds that Commence from the Reign of Rich. the second , that the Frankenhams were Lords of the Fee , who before the latter end of Henry the fifth were gon out , and then it came to own the Propriety of Poynings , and went along with this Name untill it devolved to Sir Edward Poyning , who had it in possession at his Death , which was in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and after a solemne and signall Inquisition taken in the fourteenth year of that Monarch , to discover if there could be traced out any collaterall Alliance ( for he dyed without any lawfull Issue ) that could justifie a Claim to his Estate , and there none appearing who could do it , this Mannot with much other land escheated to the Crown , and then the abovesaid Prince granted this to William Lewknor Esquire ; in which Family it had not rested many years when it was conveyed by Sale to Vane , from whom by the like Vicissitude in that Age we call our Fathers , it came to be the Possession of Walter of Faukham .

The Priorie of St. Helens in London , had some Interest at South-Ash , in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , as appears by the Rolls of Blanch Lands kept in the Exchequer , but whether upon the Suppression it were wrapped up in the Mannor of Ash , and so conveyed in the general Concession or Grant , as being a Perquisite , I am incertain .

Ashford in the Hundred of Chart and Longbridge , was one of those Mannors which was marshalled under the Jurisdiction and Propriety of the eminent Family of Crioll ; Simon de Crioll , in the twenty seventh and twenty eighth year of Henry the third , obtained a Charter of Free Warren to his Mannor of Ashford , and Mawde de Crioll his Widow dyed seised of it in the fifty second year of Henry the third , and left it to her Son Will . de Keriell , who , as Will . Glover Somerset Herald out of an old Court Roll does attest , confirmed that change his Mother had designed in her life time , and passed away this Mannor to Roger de Leybourne for Stocton in Huntington-shire , and Rumford in Essex , and from him did it come down to his great Grandchild Juliana de Leybourn , sole Heir of Roger de Leybourne , whose second Husband William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , was possest of it at his Death , which was in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third . Rot. Esc . Num. 59. And after him Juliana his Countesse deceasing without Issue , and without Kindred , in the fourty third year of the abovesaid Prince , it escheated to the Crown , and this Monarch desiring to enhance the Revenue of the Church rather then his own , gave it to the Deans and Canons of St. Stephens in Westminster , which Donation was confirmed by Richard the second , in the twelfth year of his Reign , and afterwards more amply ratified with all the Franchises it was anciently fortified with , in the twenty first year of his Rule , as appears Pat. 1. Memb. 35. par 3. and with it conveyed divers Lands here at Ashford and elsewhere , which were formerly relating to the Family of Leybourne , but being granted to Sir Simon de Burleigh , returned back to the Crown upon his Attaint , which was in the tenth year of the abovesaid Prince , and here in the Revenue of this Cloister did it make a secure abode , untill the rough Hand of Henry the eighth , like that of Aeolus , scattered such a Tempest upon these and all other Cloisters , that they shrunk into a common dissolution , and then this Mannor , being in that whirlwind ravished from the Church , and transplanted into the Crown , was by that Monarch granted with Westure ( which was purchased by Cardinal Kempe of Aldon , about the twenty eighth of Henry the Sixth , and setled on the Colledge of Wie , and came to the Crown upon its Supression , ) to Sir Anthony Aucher and Jo. Polsted , and they not many years after conveyed them by Sale to Sir Andrew Judde , who expiring in a Female Heir called Alice , she by matching with Sir Thomas Smith . annexed them to his Revenue and from him is both Ashford and Westure come down by descendant Right , to his great Grandchild , Philip Viscount Strangford .

Repton in this Parish was the Seat of that ancient Family of Valoigns ; Waretius de Valoigns in a Deed whereby on Ash-Wednesday in the the fourty fifth year of Henry the third , releases some Services due to his Mannor of Swerdlin , to Cecilia Widow of Richard Greenbold , writes himself of Repton . Rualonus de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent , in the first year of Henry the second , and dwelt sometimes at Repton , and sometimes at Tremworth . The last of this Family at this Place was Waretius de Valoigns , who concluding in two Daughters and Coheirs , one of them by matching with Sir Tho. Fogge , brought this and much other Land to own the Title of that Family , and they afterwards made this their Seat , which was productive of Persons as eminent for Piety , Prudence and Valour as any that this County , either in Times which have been tempestuous , or else in those which have been calm and serene , hath been fertile , in one of which was Sir Io. Fogge Comptroller of the House , and Privie Counsellor to Edward the fourth , who founded a Colledge here at Ashford , consisting of a Prebendarie as the Head , and of certain Priests and Choristers as Members . But to proce●d , after this Seat had so many Generations acknowledged the Interest of this Family , it was in the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , alienated by George Fogge to Sir Michael Sonds , and he conveyed it to Iohn Tufton Esquire , whose great Grandchild the right Honorable Iohn Tufton Earl of Thanet is the instant Lord of the Fee .

There was a perpetuall Chauntry here at Ashford , in a certain Chappell dedicated to the Virgin Mary , which was founded by Will . de Sodington , for which he had a Concession from royall Authoritie , as appears Pat. 17. Edw. 3. parte secunda Memb. 37. The Land which was tied to support it , lay in Ashford , Willesborough , Charing , and Kennington , which upon the Suppression being dispersed into many Hands , I shall decline any farther labour to trace out .

Ashford had a Market upon the Saturday , which was allowed by the Judges Itinerant to William de Leybourn , in the seventh year of Edw. the first , which being thus ratified and confirmed , continueth in force upon that Day , even at this instant .

I had almost forgot Merdall , which is the last Mannor in this Parish ; It was included in the Patrimony of Corbie , untill Robert Corbie of Boughton , Malherbe concluded in a Daughter and Heir called Joan Corbie , matched to Sir Nicholas Wotton twice Lord Maior of London ; by which Marriage all that vast Demeasne which acknowledged the Interest of that Family , came to be united to this , and continued many years couched in their Inheritance , untill at length , that is almost in our Grandfathers Remembrance , by Sale it devolved to Sprot , who not many years since conveyed his Right in it to Sir Thomas Finch Earl of Winchelsey , Father to the right honorable Heneage Earl of Winchelsey now Lord of the Fee .

Ashurst or Ashenhurst in the Hundred of Watchlingstone , with the Mannor of Buckland , as an Appendage annexed to it , was anciently the Demeasne , as the Dooms-day . Text informs us , of Philip de Gerund , and Hugh de Gerund this mans Successor , was seised both of Ashurst and Buckland ; likewise in the twenty sixth year of Edward the first , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 71. But after this Family determined in a Daughter and Heir , who matching with Chalfhunt made that Family possessors of the Fee , and Henry Chalfhunt , as we trace by Record , held it in the forty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 14. And after they went out , it came about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , by the Heir General of this Family to be possest by Hadde , whose Successor about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , conveyed it to Waller of Grome-bridge ; and from this Family , after some Interval of Time , it was carried off by Sale to Thomas Earl of Dorset , Lord Treasurer of England ; and from his Descendant the Title went away not many years since , by the same Fatality , into Rivers of Chafford , in which Family the Title both of Ashurst and Buckland are at this instant placed .

Chafford next invites our Survey , it was for some Descents the Possession of the Roes or Rows streamed out from that original Fountain , which was of this Name and Family at Roes Place in Alresford ; and from these two those numerous Branches have issued out , which like so many divided Rivulets have dispersed themselves into so many parts of this Nation ; but though this Family be here ( like a River licked up by a Summer Sun , ) shrunk into Oblivion , and the Name wholly dryed , yet hath the Title of this Seat found out another Chanel , for by Sale it now flows in the Name of Rivers , and Sir John Rivers Baronet , Crandchild to Sir John Rivers Knight and Baronet ; descended from the ancient Family of Rivers of River Hill in Hantshire , upon the late Decease or his Brother Sir Thomas , is now Proprietary of it .

Aythorne in the Hundred of Eastry was given to the Monks of Christ Church by Ulfred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , in the year 824 , in exchange for the Mannor of Berham , but the principal Honour which did accrue to it , was , that it was parcel of that Estate which claimed the Family of Badelesmer for Inheritors , and lay involved in their Demeasn until the infortunate Attainder of Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer in the Reign of Edward the second , when being by this Tempest rent off from his Name and Patrimony , it made its abode in the Revenue of the Crown , untill K. Edw. the third granted it to Sir John de Bondon , who in the eighteenth year of that Prince , conveyed it to John de Gildesburgh . After whose Exit it came by the same Devolution to be possest by Thomas Holben , who in the twelfth year of Richard the second , passed it away to Robert Dane ; And now there being an Interval or Gap in the private Evidences , which have an Aspect on this place , I must next represent Robert Webbe possessor of it , who in the fourth year of Henry the sixth , transplanted his Interest in it by Sale into John St. Clere , and he not long after by the same Fatalitie transmitted it to Sir Walter Hungerford , who about the latter End of Henry the sixth setled the Right and Title by Sale on Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle in Surrey , Comptroler of the House to the abovesaid Prince , who in the twenty seventh of his Reign , as appears , Pat. 27. Hen. 6. Num. 37. obtained the Grant of a Fair to be held yearly on St. Peters Day , and in this Family the Propriety and Title was fixed until the sixteenth of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed by Thomas Brown Esq ; to Francis Santon , and his Son by the same Vicissitude in the twenty eighth of the abovesaid Princesse alienated it to Sir William Rither of London ; who dying without Issue Male , setled this Mannor on Susan one of his Coheirs , first matched to Sir Thomas Caesar , and after to Mr. Thomas Philipott , second Son to Sir John Philipott of Compton Wascelin in Hantshire , and She upon her Decease gave it to her onely Son by her second Husband Mr. Villiers Philipott , who hath lately conveyed it by Sale to Mr. John Brett of London .

B. B. B.

BAbchild , but in all ancient Records , Escripts , and all other Monuments of Antiquity , written Becanceald lies in the Hundred of Milton , and did , as old Deeds testifie relate to the Savages , a Family whom elder Times represented under a Character of much eminence in this Tract . Arnold de Savage held this Mannor in the forty ninth of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. Parte secunda , and in this Name the Title stood some years , untill it sunk into a Daughter and Heir , who being wedded to William Clifford , branched out from the Cliffords of Cliffords Castle in Herefordshire ; the Title of this Mannor with the Name , was folded up in this Family , and here for some interval of Time it continued , untill that common Fate which shifts and changes the Scene of Majesty it self , as well as the Face of more subordinate Interests , transferred this Mannor by Purchase to William Coting about the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth , from whom not long after , it passed away by the same fatality to William Biggs , Ancestor to that Gentleman his Descendant both of the Name and Family , who is now in the enjoyment of it .

There was at Radfield in this Parish anciently a Free Chappel , which is now onely obvious to the Eye , by that Mass of Ruines in which at this present , it seems to lye gasping , the Founder and Uses are both unknown ; upon the suppression , the Demeansn which was annexed to it , was by the Concession of Edward the sixth , enstated on John Bateman , and his Successor John Bateman hath by Testamentary Donation , not long since conferred it on John Bateman of Wormesell .

There was another Oratory or Chappel , whose Ruines are yet visible , near the Verge or Margin of the Road , and here Pilgrims which did usually visit the shrine of Thomas Becket , at Canterbury , frequently enter'd to offer up their Orizons , before they advanced any farther in their Pilgrimage ; the Oratory as far as possible Conjectures guide us to assert , was erected in Memory , and Celebration of that Counsel , held here by Arch-Bishop Brigthwald under Withredus , or as some Copies have it Muthredus K. of Kent , in the year 692. He that will read the Results and Decrees of this Councel , may have Recourse to Sir Henry Spelman's Concilia Anglicana , or his Collections of the English Councels , where he shall find the Constitutions and Canons of this Synod represented in an exact Register to posterity .

Potts Court in Babchild vulgarly called Petts Court , was parcel of the Demeasn of the Priory of Dertford , as appears by an Inquisition taken in the eleventh year of Edw. the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 69. and continued united to it untill the suppression in the Reign of Henry the eighth , and then it was cast into the Revenue of the Crown where it lay , untill Edward the sixth in the last year of his Reign granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney , whose Son Henry Lord Cheyney about the thirteenth year of Q. Eliz. passed it away to Samuel Thornhil Esquire , in whose Descendant Line the Propriety of it is yet continuing .

Morris Court is a third place of Note in Babchild , in elder Times it gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination , as appears by the ancient Muniments of this Seat , but before the latter End of Henry the fourth this Family was vanished , and then I find the Enghams setled by Purchase in the Inheritance , and John Engham as appears by ancient Court Rolls , held it in the Reign of Henry the fifth and Henry the sixth , and after him did the Title by successive Inheritance transmit it self to his Posterity , even untill those Times which grew near our Grand Fathers remembrance , and then it was by Sale translated into Wolgate , whose Ancestors had their Habitation at Wolgate Green in Throuley ; and after it had for some years acknowledged this Family for Proprietaries , it was conveyed to Tilghman descended from the Tilghmans of Snodland , from which Name it was again by as sudden a transmission alienated to Carselock of Feversham allied to John Carselock the last Abbot of the Priory there , at the suppression of it ; and this Name being lately here by Defailance of Issue totally extinguished , the Heirs of this Family as Knowler and others , so designed by Testament , do now possess it .

Badelesmer in the Hundred of Feversham , was the Seat of that Family , which for the great sway and influence they had once in this County , although they have their Existence now only in Annals and History , deserve a serious Remembrance ; Giles Lord Badelesmer , as the Annals of St. Augustins instruct me , was slain in the year 1258. in a Battell against the Welsh , whilst he by endevouring to unite them to the English Scepter , attempted to assault their Liberty , and they as vigorously asserted it ; Guncelin de Badelesmer dyed possest of this Mannor in the twenty ninth year of Edward the first , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 50. and lies buryed in Badelesmer Church , with his Portraiture crosseleg'd cut in Wood , and so much left of his Name , as discovers to us that it is He who lyes there enterred ; and although there hath such a vast Interval or Decursion of Time intervened since his Sepulture , yet neither hath Time , nor our modern Zeal , more fierce and ravenous then that , so defaced it but that the Effigies insculped crosseleg'd is yet obvious & visible ; and this I believe wil sufficiently refute the opinion of the vulgar , who believe this Figure on the Tomb-stone to be the representation of some Giant ; and this Guncelin had Issue , Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , that opulent and powerfull Baron of Kent , who was witnesse to the Charter of Edward the second , by which he confirms the Franchises and Priviledges of the City of London , in the twelfth year of his Reign , and there subscribes himself Steward of the Kings Hostell , and was certainly a very eminent Person , for in the year 1316 , when Sir Richard de Rodney was invested with Knighthood by the abovesaid Prince , the Ceremony of putting on his Spurs was performed by Maurice de Berkley , and Bartholomew de Badelesmer ; but he had not been long swoln to this vast Dimension of power , but their arose a Tempest which blasted all his blooming Glories , for Isabel Wife and Queen to Edward the second , having by severall good Offices performed between her Husband , and his disobliged Barons , so becalmed and softned all their Animosities , that they became intombed in a mutuall Pacification , was so inflamed at her denyall of Lodging , and Accomodation in Leeds Castle by Thomas Colepeper the Castellan under Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , that she egged and pushed on the King to a Revenge , which was done so effectually , that the Death of the Castellan was the Expiation of so infortunate an Insolence , and the Losse of the Head of the Lord Badelesmer , taken Prisoner not long after neer Pontfrait , and the forfeiture of his Estate paid the price of his Ambition ; and thus this magnificent Baron , who like a streight and procere Elme grew tall in Title , and like its luxuriant Branches , did spread wide in the extent of his Power and Revenue , was by this Storm supplanted , and his Patrimony broken to peices , being gathered up by escheat into the Royall Demeasne ; and in this Shipwrack did this Family lye involved , untill the second year of Edward the third , and then the indulgent Munificence of that Prince , boy'd it up out of those Ruines wherein it appeared almost to have been sunk , and by Patent restored him to his Estate here and elsewhere ; and he in a thankfull acknowledge to Heaven for this Restitution , according to the Piety of those Times , erected here a House for Black Canons , or Canons of St. Augustins , as the Record , pat. 13. Edw. 3. Memb. 6. doth amply testifie , and dyed in the twelfth year of Edward the third , and left his Estate to his only Son Giles Lord Badelesmere , who dying without Issue ; his four Sisters , Margery first marryed to William Rosse Lord Hamlake , and then remarryed to Tho. Arundell ; Margaret matched to Sir John Tiptoft , Elizabeth first wedded to William Bohun Earl of Northampton , and afterwards to Edmund Mortimer Earl of March , and Mawde espoused to John Vere Earl of Oxford , became his Coheirs , and that Land here at Badelesmer , which was not before setled on the Monastery , upon the partition was knit to the Patrimony of Vere , and he dyed possest of it in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third , and left it with the Title of Baron Badelesmer , to his Successors , one of which was Jo. Earl of Oxford , who was attainted in the twelfth year of Edw. the fourth , for supporting the House of Lancaster at the Battle of Barnet , but was restored both in Blood and Estate , but he never was possest of this Mannor , for I find that upon the Suppression of this Cloister at Badelesmer , it escheated to the Crown , and then Henry the eighth granted it to Sir Robert Southwell , and he in the second year of Edward the sixth , alienated it to Sir Anth. Aucher , and he upon his decease gave it to his Son Jo. Aucher , who dying without Issue male , Ann his sole Inheritrix , brought it with her to her Husband Sir Humphrey Gilbert , who about the middle of Queen Elizabeth alienated it to Sir Michael Sonds , and from him is the instant Signorie devolved to Sir George Sonds Knight of the Bath .

There is another Mannor in this Parish of Badelesmer , called Goddisland , and gave Seat and Sirname to a Family which formerly had their Mansion at this Place , and John de Goddisland is mentioned in the Book of Aid to have held it in twentieth of Edward the third , and when after some Flux of Time , this Name was ebbed away from this place , the Atwoods succeeded , so stiled from their Habitation , nere the Wood , and Robert Atwood died seised of it in the sixth year of Richard the second , and when this Family began to Decay , the Sawyers came in and were Possessors of the place ; but long the Fee was not setled in this Name , for the Title about the Beginning of Henry the seventh was engraffed by Purchase on Cheyney , from which Family by the like Current , it flowed about the Begining of Q. Elizabeth into Snode , and from them not many years since it was by Sale wafted over to Franklin .

Barham in the Hundred of Kinghamford gives Name to that spacious Plain , where the Britons encountred Caesar and his Army at his first Landing at Deale , and after a signal Conflict , repelled them back to their Ships . The old Family of Fitz-Urse , were formerly Lords of this Mannor , and resolved into the Name of Berham , after such Time as one of them called Randolph Fitz-Urse , being Ring-leader of three other Cavaliers of the Kings Court , had impiously assassinated Arch-Bishop Becket . The Fact being so barbarous in the Estimate of those Times , that flying into Ireland he abandoned the Name of Fitz-Urse , and took that of Mac-Mahon , as Mr. Camden Notes . Certainly as he was the Actor , and thereby more stained then the rest , so was he much more culpable , beause he held this Mannor of Berham of the See of Canterbury , by the Service of halfe a Knights Fee , so it appears by the Record of the Aid kept in the Exchequer , and paid in the twentieth of Edw. the third ; yet did not this Name vanish at this place , but still was inforced , and multiplied into many Descents from whence issued Gentlemen of a prime and eminent Note in this Track , untill lately that Fate which Shuffles both Families and Kingdomes into Disorder and Oblivion , hath torn this Mannor now from this Name , and by purchase brought over the Propriety of it to Fotherby .

Shelvingborough is a second Mannor in this Parish , not to be waved in this Survey , because it was sometimes one of the Seats of John de Shelving , who held it in the seventeenth year of Edward the second ; But this Family determining not long after in a Daughter and Heir , She by matching with Haut , annexed this Mannor to the Patrimony of this Family ; and in this Name the Title was carried along by the Clew of many Descents , untill it devolved to Sir William Haut ; who about the latter End of Henry the eighth , concluded in two Female Coheirs , whereof Elizabeth was matched to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury , who brought this along with her to that Family , and he about the Beginning of Edward the sixth , devested himself of the possession , and by Sale transmitted his Right in it to Mantle , where after the Title had by some small continuance made some little respite , it was conveyed by Sale to Carlisle ; and here the Propriety , was as transient , for an Alteration of the same resemblance , not many years since , made it the possession of Hopday .

Diggs Court in Barham was the Mansion of the ancient Family of Digge or Diggs , which Family about four Hundred years since , that is about the Reign of Richard the first , had the Aldermanry of Newingate in Canterbury , as part of their Inheritance , which it seems was not ( as now ) elective , but as Freehold , either demisable or devisable ad Libitum of him or her that held the same : or if neither demised nor devised of him nor her in Life Time , but indisposed of at Death , then as Inheritance or Fee , it descended to the next Heir at Law ; These Aldermen every one of them , kept within their own Wards , and happily ( as the Jews held theirs ) had at their several Gates a Court assembled every three weeks , which was called of our Ancestors , sometimes the Hundred Court , sometimes the Wardmote , that is the assembly or the meeting of the Hundred or Ward , or the Portmote , as the Jurisdiction was called Portsoka . John or Diggs was in the year 1258 , a great Benefactor to the Franciscans , who had then newly planted themselves at Canterbury , and purchased for them an Island in that City called Binnewight . Emit Insulam vocatam Binnewight in Cantuar. & locum Portae super Stourstreet , ad opus Fratrum Minorum , & tempore opportuno transtulit Fratres ad illam . As Leland records of him : Adomarus de Digge one of this House , was a Judge in the Reign of Edward the second , and possest much Land about Reynham and Newington , which still represents his Name to Posterity , and is called Diggs Mersh ; John Diggs of Diggs Court , was Sheriff of Kent part of the second year of Henry the fourth , and John Diggs his Grand child was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , his Son and Heir was John Diggs Esquire , who likewise held that Office in the eleventh year of Henry the seventh , this our Sheriff had Issue James Diggs of Diggs Court Esquire , who was likewise Sheriff of Kent the second year of Henry the eighth , and Justice of the Peace for this County almost all the Government of that Prince ; he was Father of Leonard Diggs Esquire , who was Grand Father to Sir Dudley Diggs of Chilham Castle , Master of the Rolls 1637 , who almost in our Memory passed away this Seat which had been for many years an Appendage to it , to Captain Halsey of London ; who not long after alienated it to Alderman Soame of the same place , who not long since conveyed it to Sir Basil Dixwell of Terlingham in Folkstone Knight and Baronet , whose collateral Descendant , that is , his Nephews Son and Heir , Mr. Basil Dixwell is Proprietary apparent of it .

Barfreyston in the Hundred of Eastry , was anciently held by Castle-Guard of Dover Castle by John de Wybarne , and when this Family had abandoned the possession , which was about the latter End of Henry the fourth , it came to be held by Harward , and when some years it had been wrapped up in the Interest of this Family , it was transmitted by Sale about the latter End of Henry the sixth , to Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle ; and here the Title lodged , untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth , and then part of it was passed away to Wood , but the Mannor it self rested in Brown , untill the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Mr. Thomas Bois whose successor Mr. John Bois not many years since alienated it to Sir Anthony Percival of Dover .

Hartanger and Soles are two Mannors situated within the Precincts of this little Parish , who both had owners so Sirnamed . The first after it had been folded up in the Demeasn of Hartanger untill the Reign of Edward the second , was by Purchase made the Inheritance of Perot of Knowlton , and Thomas Perot died seised of it in the fourth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. but this Name determining not long after in a Female Heir , She by matching with Langley of Warwick-shire , linked it to his Patrimony ; and William Langley in Right of this Alliance , was possest of Hartanger in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , and here it made its abode untill the latter End of Henry the sixth , and then it was conveyed by Sale to Sir Thomas Brown aboved mentioned , and his successor about the Beginning of Henry the seventh . But the Mannor of Soles remained longer in the Name and possession of that Family , John Soles held it at his Decease , which was in the forty ninth year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 40. Parte secunda , whilst this Family flourished under the Notion of one of the most ancient of East-Kent , but continued here but untill the fourth year of Henry the fourth ; and then I find it linked to the Inheritance of Thomas Newbregge of Fordwich , and in his Posterity did the propriety fix , untill the Beginning of Henry the seventh , and then the Name expired , having tranferred the Interest they had in this place to Mr. William Bois Ancestor to Mr. John Bois of Hode , who passed away some part of it not many years since to Sir Anthony Percival , but transmitted the Remainder to his Son and Heir Mr. John Bois of Hode Esquire .

Bradherst with its two small appendant Mannors Petesworth and Meresworth , vulgarly called Meresborough , is situated in the Hundred of Eyhorne , and was formerly folded up in that wide and spacious Revenue , which was the paternal Inheritance of the Lords Leybourne of Leybourne Castle , the last of which was Roger Lord Leybourne ; in whom the Name determined , as the Estate did afterwards in his sole Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourne , who having no Issue surviving , neither by her first Husband John de Hastings , nor her second , William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , nor any who by a collateral Relation could fortifie or furnish out a claim to her inheritance , these Mannors which were a Limbe of it , were invested by Escheat in the Crown , and by Edward the third were not long after setled on his newly erected Abby of St. Mary Grace , on Tower-Hill ; and remained wound up in the Revenue of that Cloister , untill the Common dissolution did unravel it , and resigned these respective Mannors , with the Remainder of their Demeasn up to the Crown ; and here the Propriety of them made its abode , untill the third year of Edward the sixth , and then they were by the Royal Concession of that Prince , passed away to Sir Thomas Cheyney , whose Son and Heir Sir Henry Cheyney Lord Cheyney of Tuddington , alienated all his Interest here , in the thirteenth year of Q. Elizabeth to Samuel Thornhill Esquire who upon his Decease gave his Estate here to his second Son Sir John Thornhill of Bromley Knight , whose Son and Heir Charles Thornhill Esquire , hath now the Signorie of it .

The Church of Bradherst though thrust into an obscure and silent Corner , amongst Woods and other dark Recesses , yet is enobled with a Monument of one of the Knightly Family of Northwood , which hath this Epitaph endorsed ; Hic jacet Willielmus Northwood , cum quatuor suis Filiis , verus Haeres Domini de Northwood ; It is probable this Family had some Retreat or Mansion here at this Parish , which upon their abandoning of Bradherst , languished away insenbly into Ruine , so that the Memory of it now is altogether neglected and forgotten .

Blackmanston in the Hundred of Worth , had a Family of good Account in this Tract , named Marings or Marins , which it called Proprietaries , Thomas de Marings held it at his Decease , which was in the twenty sixth year of Edward the first , and so did Joan Widow of Roger Marins his Son , as appears by two Inquisitions taken after her Decease , one in the sixteenth year of Edward the third , and the other in the twenty third year of that Princes Reign ; but after this I do not find this place long permanent in this Family , for in the forty fourth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 10. Henry de Hauts of Haut bourne died possest of it , and from him did the Title by an even Clew of succession come down to Sir William Haut , Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Haut of Hautsbourne , who deceased without Issue Male , so that this Mannor of Blackmanston , upon the Division of his Estate , came by Joan one of his two Daughters and Coheirs to fall under the Possession and Signory of Sir Thomas Wiat , but continued not long tied up in his Demeasn , for this noble but unfortunate Person being engaged past all Retreat in a Disastrous Combination against Q. Mary , was attainted of High Treason and beheaded in the second year of that Princess ; and so this place being rent off by Escheat from this Family , it lay couched in the Income of the Crown , untill the twenty ninth of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was granted by that Princess to Roger Parker Esquire , who was one of her Pages ; and he not long after conveyed it by Sale to Sir William Hall of Bibrook in Kennington , and his Son Nevil Hall Esquire in the year 1630 , alienated his Right in it to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet , whose Grandchild Sir Edward Hales now of Tunstal Baronet , upon the late Decease of his Grand Father abovesaid , now succeeds in the Possession of it .

Bekesbourne in the Hundred of Downhamford , distinguished from the other Bournes which are linked to each other by the River of Leving , by the ancient Owners Name the Bekes . It hath long time been a Member to Hasting in Sussex , and enjoyeth like Liberty with the Cinque Ports , which K. Edward the third made Declaration of by a special Writ in the forty third year of his Reign . At which time , and long after there was a small Navigation out of the River of Stoure up to this place : Richard de Beke as we read in Testa de Nevil , a Book kept in the Exchequer , held some Lands here in grand Serjeantie to find one Ship each Time K. Henry the third should pass the Seas .

The Arch-Bishops of Canterbury had here a small but elegant House , very commodious for their Recesse or Retirement , the River brought so conveniently about it , that the Trouts the principal Fish there , are plentifully useful unto it .

Garwinton a Mannor and House most elegantly and commodiously situated in this Parish , was possest by certain Gentlemen that extracted their Denomination from this Seat , and held the same by Knights Service of the Abbot of St. Augustins neer Canterbury , and Thomas de Garwinton a Man of valuable Consideration on this side of the County , was eminent here in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and from him did it descend to his great Crandchild Thomas Garwinton , in whom the Male Line determined , for he dying without Issue in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , Joan his Neice matched to Richard Haut , a Cadet of the Hauts of Hauts-Bourne , was after a serious Inquisition found to be his Heir General , and She having entituled her Husband to this Mannor , his Son Richard Haut in Right of this Alliance was enstated in it , but he concluding likewise in a Female Inheritrix called Margery , She She by espousing William Isaac of Hopland knit this and much other Land to his inheritance , whose successor by the same Fatality expired in a Daughter and Heir , first matched to Sydley , and secondly to Sir Henry Palmer , on whom She setled this Mannor , and his Descendant Sir Henry Palmer passed it away to Lieutenant Colonel Prude slain at Maestricht Father to Mr. Searles Prude , whose two Daughters and Coheirs have lately conveyed it to Mr. George Curtis .

Bekenham near Bromley helps to give Name to the Hundred wherein it is placed , and of old time was held by Gentlemen , called in Latine Records de Rupella , in French de la Rochel , and in English Rokeley , and were in their original Etymologie extracted from Rochel in France , Richard de Rokeley died seised of this Mannor , in the fifth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 6. and was succeeded in the Possession by Philip de la Rokeley , and he held it likewise at his Death , which hapened in the 23 year of Edw. the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Isolda de la Rokeley matched to William Bruin , by whom She had Issue Sir Maurice Bruin , Chamberlaine to K. Edw. the third , honoured with the Summons to Parliament as Baron amongst the Peers of this Realm , who by a Right derived to him from his Mother , was possest of this at his Death , in the twenty ninth of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 38. and transmitted a wide and spreading Revenue to his Posterity here , at Southokenden in Essex , and at Roumere in Hantshire , which last was given in Appendage to a younger Son , from whom the Bruins of Athelhampton in the County of Dorset , are lineally descended . But when after a fair continuance this Family had flourished at this Place , the Distaffe prevailed against the Speare , and Sir Henry Bruins two Daughters and Coheirs about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , divided his Inheritance , each of them having a first and second Husband : Alice the eldest was first married to Robert Harleston of Essex Esquire , and after to Sir Thomas Heveningham ; and Elizabeth second Daughter was wedded first to Thomas Tirrell of Heron in Essex Esquire , and after his Decease to Sir William Brandon Knight , who was Standard-bearer to Henry the seventh at Bosworth Field , where he was stain in asserting his Cause and Quarrel against Richard the third , and he had Issue by her Sir Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk , the Flower and perfection of English Chivalrie in his Time , who sometimes kept his Residence at this place , ( not as Proprietarie , but onely as Lessee , for the Sole Inheritance upon the Division of Bruin's Estate accrued to Tirrell ; ) and here entertained Henry the eighth , with all the Cunning Pompe of Magnificence , as he went to bestow a Visit at Hever , on his discarded , and repudiated wife Ann of Cleve . But to go on , this Mannor as I said before , being annexed to the patrimony of Thomas Tirrell , Humphrey Tirrell his Grandchild to whom it descended , passed away one Moietie of it in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth to Ralph Warren , and the other to Henry Parke ; Warren alienated his Proportion not long after to Bradbury , from which Family about the latter End of Q. Eliz. it came over by Sale to Serjeant Gent , who gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Sir George Dalston of Cumberland , who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Patrick Curwin of the same County , and he some few years since sold his Interest in it to Sir Oliver St. John of Batricksey in Surrey , who upon his Decease gave it to his Son then Mr. Walter , but now upon the Death of his Nephew , Sir Walter St. John Baronet , the other Moitie by Joan sole Heir of the abovesaid Henry Parke , came to be the Inheritance of Mr. Robert Leigh descended out of Cheshire , whose Successor about the latter End of King James alienated it to Sir Henry Snelgrave , from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Henry Snelgrave , who not long since passed it away to Mr. Walter , now Sir Walter St. John Baronet , who lately hath exchanged the whole Mannor , for other Land with his Brother Mr. Henry St. John .

Langley in this Parish is a second Seat of eminent Account , which was in elder Times the Possession of John de Malmains , who obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Lands in Bekenham , in the twelfth year of Edward the second , which was renewed to Henry de Cliffe , to whom they accrued by Purchase from Malmains , in the third year of Edward the third ; but stayed not long in the Tenure of this Family , for before the going out of Edward the third , I find the Propriety invested by Sale in Langley , to which Family the Foundation of that HOuse owes in part its Original , on which they ingraffed their own Name , which hath flourished under that Title ever since , though the Family be withered away and gone , the last of which Name at this place was Ralph Langley , who with Roger Twisden , Stephen Monins , Edward Monins , John Edingham or Engham , Richard Edingham , John Berton of Cotmanton in Shouldon , John Berham , John Betenham of Shurland in Pluckley , and others , Gentlemen of prime Rank in this County , were summoned to appear before Robert Poynings and John Perry , in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth , to disclaim the Title of the House of York , and this Ralph died in the year 1451 , and ordered Langley and other demeasns at Bekenham to be sold for the discharging his Debts , the purport and Effects of which Will were accordingly performed , and his Estate at Bekenham and Langley , passed away by Sale to John Violett , whose Successors enjoyed it until the Beginning of Hen. the eighth , and then it was conveyed to John Stiles Esq ; who much inlarged the House with a supply of Buildings , and from him is it by Descent devolved to be the instant Possession of his Successor Sir Humphrey Stiles Knight and Baronet .

Kelseys lies likewise in this Parish , and may justly exact our Notice ; by Deeds written in a Character that hath an Aspect upon the Reign of Henry the third , John de Kelsey , William de Kelsey , and others of that Sirname are represented to have an Interest in this Seat , and from hence it is probable the Kelseys of Surrey did derive their first Extraction , however by the Injuries of Time they have been in succeeding Generations cast under the umbrage of an obscurer Fortune : But I return , After this Family had deserted the Possession of this place , which was before the latter End of Richard the the second , I find the Brograves stepped in , and by purchase became Lords of the Fee , a Family which in very old Deeds writ themselves Burgrave , and sometimes Boroughgrave , though now a more easie Pronunciation hath melted it into Brograve , which represents the Etymologie of the Name , to have been in its Original perfectly Saxon. In the year 1479 , there was a License granted ( as appears by the Records of Rochester ) to William Brograve by the then Bishop of that Diocess , to erect an Oratory or Chapple at his Mannor-house of Kelseys , the Vestigia or Reliques of which are yet obvious to an inquisitive Eye , and from this William did the Title and possession in an even Current come down to Mr. Thomas Brograve , who being not many years since deceased , his Widow Mrs. Martha Brograve now in respect of Jointure , enjoys the present Possession of it .

Foxgrove is the last place of Account in this Parish , it had in elder times Proprietaries of this Sirname ; for I find John de Foxgrove paid respective Aid for it in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight . After this Family succeeded Bartholomew Lord Burwash , and he held it at his Decease , which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 44. and from him it descended to his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash , who in the forty third year of the abovesaid Prince , passed it away to Sir Walter de Paveley , and in his Family it remained untill the latter End of Richard the second , and then it was conveyed to Vaux of the County of North-Hampton , and there made its abode untill the latter End of Henry the sixth , and then it was alienated to John Grene Esquire , and he died possest of it in fourth year of Edward the fourth ; and in this Family did the Title reside , untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth , and then it was demised to Beversea , and Humphrey Beversea , I find held it in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth , and his Descendant passed it away to Luke Hollingworth , and he about the Beginning of K. Edward the sixth , sold his Interest in it to Alderman Sir Jo. Oliff of London , and he dying without Issue Male , Joan matched to John Leigh of Addington Esquire , was his sole Heir , and in Right of this Alliance , did it come down to Sir Francis Leigh late of East-Wickham ; whose Widow Dowager the Lady Christian Leigh , is now in Possession of it .

Bexley , and in ancient Deeds written Bekesley , lies in the Hundred of Rokesley ; and did in Times of elder Inscription belong to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , for Anno 805. K. Kenulfus gave Bexley to Arch-Bishop Vefred ad opus Ecclesiae Christi ; and his Successor to improve his Interest in this Mannor , obtained a Market to be held weekly at this place upon the Tuesday , and a Fair upon Holy-Rood-Day yearly , in the ninth year of Edward the second , as appears , Pat. 9. Edw. 2. Num. 49. and here the Title it lodged untill it came to the Crown in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , by Exchange with Tho. Cranmer then Arch-Bishop , as appears by the Records of Christ Church , and was passed away by King Iames to Sir Io. Spilman his Majesties Jeweller , originally extracted out of Germany , and he suddenly after conveyed it to that resplendent Luminary of Englands Antiquities , Mr. William Camden Clarenceux King of Arms , and he upon his Decease gave it to Brasennose Colledge in Oxford , from whom the Lady Christian Leigh of East-Wickham holds it now as Lessee .

Blinden Court in old Deeds written Bladindon , is the next object of our observation ; It was in elder Times the Possession of Jordanus de Bladindon or Blindon , who about the first year of Richard the first passed it away to Walsingham , in which Family it was resident untill the latter end of Henry the fourth , and then it was carryed over by Sale to Ferbie of Pauls Crey , and one of this Family about the Beginning of Henry the sixth transported it by the same Alteration to William Marshall , and he not long after conveyed it to Rawlins ; but it setled longer here , for it remained linked to the Demeasne of this Name almost untill our Grandfathers Remembrance and then it was by Purchase made the Inheritance of May , who not many yeers since alienated his Concernment in it to Wroth , and is at present , part of the Demeasne of John Wroth Esquire , descended from the ancient Family of the Wroths , of Durants in Essex .

Hall Place in this Parish is the last place which summons our Remembrance ; It was in times of a more ancient Character , the Inheritance of a Family called Athall , the last of which was Thomas Athall , who in the fourty first year of Edward the third , conveyed it to Thomas Shelley of Gaysam in Westerham ; and in this Name , after the Title like a fixed Inmate had for many Generations dwelt , it came down to William Shelley Son of John Shelley Esquire , who in the tweny ninth year of Henry the eighth passed it away to Sir John Champneys of London , from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Richard Champneys Esquire , who some few yeers since alienated his Interest here to Mr. Robert Austin of London .

Brasted in the Hundred of Codsheath was a Mannor which anciently related to the Family of Clare , who were Earls of Glocester and Hertford , and held is in grand Serjeanty of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury , as they were originally , and de Jure , Stewards to the Lord Arch-Bishop at the Time of his Installment and Inthronization . Ric. de Clare dyed possest of it in the forty seventh year of Henry the third , and so did Gilbert de Clare in the twenty fourth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 107. From whom it came down to Richard de Clare , who in the nineteenth year of Edward the second , ended in Margaret his sole Heir , matched to Hugh de Audley , who in her Right was not only Earl of Glocester , but likewise Lord of this Mannor , and enjoyed it in the twenty first year of Edward the third ; but he likewise going out in a Female Heir stiled Margaret , She by matching with Ralph Stafford Earl of Stafford , wedded the Title to his Inheritance , nor did it dislodge or depart from it until it escheated to the Crown upon the Attainder of Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham , who was convicted of high Treason in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , where it had not long rested , but the abovesaid Prince by Patent setled the Right of it on Sir Henry Isley , who being interessed past recovery , in the Design of Sir Tho. Wiat , forfeited both Life and Estate to the Crown , and then Queen Mary upon his Conviction , granted it to John Lennard Esquire , from whom it is now transported by Descent to his Successor Francis Lennard Lord Dacres , who is the instant Lord of the Fee .

There is another Mannor and Seat in Brasted , venerable enough for its Antiquity , anciently called Stockets , but now Crow-place , it was so denominated from the Stockets which first held it , Walter de Stocket , and sometimes in old Deeds written Stock and Stoke , possest it by the fourth part of a Knights Fee , in the Time of Edward the first , and after this Name began to languish into Decay , it was by a Daughter and Heir brought over to Crow , extracted from the Crows of Norfolk , who from the Reign of Richard the second , held it in a continued Track of Succession , even untill our Time and then it was passed away from Sir Sackville Crow , by Sale to Sir Robert Heath , who dyed Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , made so by the late King at Oxford , whose Son and Heir Mr. ........ Heath Esquire is now entituled to the Signorie of it .

Bredge gives name to the whole Hundred wherein it is placed , and in Times of a more ancient Date , was clasped up within that Revenue , which did augment the paternal Inheritance of Cheyney , Sir Alexander de Cheyney , ( as appears by ancient Muniments , was possest of this place in the reign of Edward the first , and is in the Register of those eminent persons who accompanied that Prince into Scotland , and was for his important Service against that Nation , made Bannerent by that King at Carlaverock , in the twenty eighth year of his Government , and from him did it by the links of severall Descents , after a large Efflux of Time devolve to Henry Lord Cheyney , who about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth passed it away to Mr. William Partrich Esquire , whose Grandchild Sir Edward Partrich not many yeers since conveyed it to Mr. Arnold Brame of Dover , descended from one of this Name who was Secretary to Charles the fifth .

Blackmanbury is a noted Seat in this Parish , and had still the same Owners in Times of a more ancient Character , with Garwinton in Bekesbourn , as namely the Garwintons , the last of which was Tho. Garwinton , who held it at his Death , which happened in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , and by the Heir Generall of this Family it devolved to Haut , issued out from the Hauts of Hautsborne , and when this Family determined , the Female Heir brought this Seat to Isaac , after Isaac was worn out of a great part of this Mannor of Blackmanbury , it became the Possession of Henry Lawrence Esquire , descended from the Lawrences of Dorsetshire , and he held it , as appears by a Court Roll in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth ; and in both these Families was the joynt Propriety of this Mannor resident untill about the middle of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth , and then the whole Demise was by mutuall Consent passed away from Isaac , and Lawrence , to William Partrich Esquire , Grandfather to Sir Edward Partrich , who not many yeers since conveyed it to Mr. Arnold Brame of Dover , and he upon the Foundation of the ancient Fabrick , hath erected that magnificent Pile which obliges the Eye of the passenger , both to Admiration and Delight , and which like a Phaenix seems to have arose more glorious out of its Ruines .

Bereacre is a third Mannor in Bredge , which in the twenty first year of Edward the first acknowledged it self to be under the Signorie of Walter de Kancia , as appears by an Inquisition taken at the same time after his Death , Rot. Esc . Num. 7. But before the twentieth year of Edward the third , this Family was extinguished , and then it became the Propriety of Bereacre , who assumed his Name from this Mannor , and John de Bereacre paid a respective Supply for it ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) at making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth year of Edward the third . After Bereacre was gone out , the Family of Lichfield was concerned in the Possession , who likewise were Lords of much Land about Eastry , Tilmanston and Betshanger , and in this Name was the Title placed untill the twenty second year of Edward the fourth , and then Roger Lichfield by Sale conveyed it to William Haut , and he had Issue Richard Haut , who left only Margery , who by matching with William Isaac , resigned up this Mannor to the Possession of that Family , but long it was not planted in this Name , for before the latter end of Henry the eighth , it was alienated to Petit and Weeks , and they again not many yeers after transmitted it by Sale to Nailor of Renvill , from whom by the same Devolution it was almost in our Fathers Memory carryed down to Smith and Watkins .

Beauville , aliàs Bew●field , or Whitfield lyes in the Hundred of Bewisborough , is a small Parish mounted aloft on those Hills that run from Barham down to Dover Castle , The Lord Giles Badelesmer anciently held it , and gave it in Frank Marriage with his Daughter Elizabeth whom Jo. Northwood of Milton took to Wife , and here it continued with the Interest of this Family severall Descents , untill at last it devolved to John Northwood of Northwood in Milton abovesaid , from which Name and Family the Fate of Sale took it off , and brought it over about the latter end of Henry the eighth to Jo. Bois Esquire , Ancestor to Mr. Io. Bois of Fredvill Esquire now living , and in this Family the Possession is still resident .

The Mannor of Linacre is seated within the Circuit of this Parish , and gave both Seat and Sirname to a Family so called , and from whom Linacre that composed the Latin Grammar in the Reign of Henry the ninth , was lineally extracted , but this Name here was expired , before the end of Henry the fourth , and then by some Court Rolls I find that Iohn Monins was invested in the Fee , and here for some Decursion of Time the Right and Interest of this Place did abide , untill at length about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , the Title by Sale fell under the Signory of Chelesford or Chelford , from which Name the same Fate conveyed it to Mr. Io. Bois whose Successor Mr. Io. Bois of Fredville Esquire , by descendant Right does now enjoy it .

East and West Berming in the Hundred of Twyford , was in Times of a very high Ascent the Possession of a Family who derived their Sirname from this Place , William de Bermeling dyed seised of it in the twenty second year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 27. and had likewise the Advowson of the Church , after him Robert de Bermelin held it in the thirty first year of Edward the first . Rot. Esc . Num. 123. When this Family was gone out , the Freminghams came into the Possession , Iohn Son of Ralph de Fremingham was in the enjoyment of them at his Death , which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 145. and so was his Successor John Fremingham in the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 15. But after this I find no more of this Name interessed in the Possession the next Family which was invested in the Inheritance were the Pimpes , a Name very eminent and no lesse ancient in this Track , John Pimpe held them and Ledhock at his Decease , which was in the ninth year of Henry the fifth , Rot. Esc . Num. 35. from whom the Title streamed down to Reginald Pimpe Esquire , in whose Tenure they were at his Death , which was in the sixteenth year of Henry the sixth ; from Pimpe they were carryed away by Purchase to the noble Family of Stafford , Dukes of Buckingham and Earls of Stafford , in which Name they had not long continued , when Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth being convicted of high Treason for consulting with a Wizard and a Monke touching the Succession of the Crown , forfeited his Estate here and his Life together , and then King Henry the eighth , by royall Concession planted the Propriety of these Places in Sir John Rainsford one of his Privie Councell , and his Son Sir Henry Rainsford passed them away to Sir Henry Isley , and he having infortunately enwrapped himself in the unhappy Design of Sir Thomas Wiat , an Attempt which was plausible and specious enough in the Intention of it , as being enamel'd and guilded over with the glorious Pretences of asserting the Orthodox Religion , and defending the publick Libertie against the Eruption of Strangers , but very ruinous and disastrous in the Effects and Consequences of it , as was very visible upon this worthy Person , who in the first year of Queen Mary , was convicted of high Treason and executed at Sevenoke , where he dyed with as much Constancy and Alacrity of Spirit , as he had lived with Integrity , upon whose untimely Exit , the Crown seised upon his Estate , and that Princesse in the same year he was destroyed granted his Estate here to Sir John Baker her Attorney Generall , from whom the Title and possession of Berming is flowed down to his Successor Sir John Baker Baronet , who in Right of this Descent , is now entituled to the Patrimony of both these Mannors .

Halls Place in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so stiled , who in ancient Deeds were written At-Hall from their Habitation at some more eminent Mansion , but before the end of Edward the third this Family was vanished , and the Signory of this Place surrendered to Colepeper of Preston , yet some part of it I find by old Deeds was passed away to Clive , which Jo. Clive about the seventh of Henry the fourth alienated to Peter Colepeper , and he in the tenth year of the abovesaid Prince , conveyed Hall Place to Sampson Mascall , originally extracted from a place called Mascalls in Brenchley ; and in this Family the Possession was fixed untill the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Alchorne , the Cradle or Fountain of whose Family was at Alchorne in Rotherfield , and in this Name is the Fee-Simple of this Place still resident , though the use and profits of it be for a long Series of years made over to Mr ......... Cook late of Stepney , and his Descendants .

West-Bere stiled so in Opposition to Bere in St. Margarets nere Dover , with the Appendant Mannor of Hopland , is situated in the Hundred of Blengate , the last of which was not called so from the growth and production of Hops there formerly planted , as the vulgar Tradition affirms , the Introduction of Hops into this Nation , being not of that Antiquity , but from a Family exceeding ancient , who , ( as appears by Deeds without Date ) were in elder Times possessors of it ; but before the end of Edward the first , this Family was mouldered away , and and then the eminent Family of St. Lawrence , who likewise were Lords of West-Bere by purchase from Hugh de Bere , and about the latter end of Edward the first , were invested in the Tenure of both , claimed the propriety , and Thomas St. Lawrence , and John de Swalclive paid Reliefe for their Lands at West-Bere and Hopland , as the Book of Aid instructs us in the twentieth year of Edward the third ; and in this Family of St. Lawrence , did the Propriety of both these Mannors reside , untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then Hopland was conveyed to John Isaac , in which Name it was resident untill the latter End of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was conducted down by Sale to acknowledge Tourney of Saltwood , and he by a like Alteration transplanted his Interest in it not many years since into Steed , but West-Bere came by the Daughter and Heir of this Family to Apulderfield , and again by the Female Heir of Sir William Apulderfield to Sir John Phineux , and he setled it on his second Brother the Heir Generall , of whose Descendant not many years since being wedded to Sir John Smith it is now become the Possession of his Grandchild Philip Viscount Strangford .

Bersted in the Hundred of Eythorne , was the Seat of the noble Family of Crevequer , before they removed to Leeds Castle their Seat and Residence , and in Doomsday Book where there is a particular Account taken what Mannors Hamon de Crevequer was possest of in the twentieth of William the Conquerour , it is written Briested , which could not be meant of Brasted , which was the Signory and Possession of Gilbert de Clare in the Reign of Henry the first , as appears by the Records of Christ-Church in Canterbury , where this Earl and his Successors are said to hold the Mannor of Brasted , as Senescalli Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis in sua Inthronizatione , whereas this Mannor had never any such Tenure united to it , and remained parcell of the Patrimoniall Demeasne of Crevequer , untill Hamon de Crevequer having embarked himself in the Quarrell of Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester , made Shipwrack of his Estate here at Bersted , which was wrung from him by Henry the third , and though he was pardoned by the Pacification of Killingworth made in the fiftyeth of that Princes Reign , yet I do not find that he was ever reinvested in Bersted , so that it remained in the Crown untill the tenth year of Edward the second , and then it was exchanged for other Land with Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , but he having by an ambitious Defection forfeited this and much other Land in the fifteenth year of Edward the second , it lapsed back again by an early Confiscation to the Crown , and lay involved there until the fourth year of Edward the sixth , and then being looked upon as wrapped up in the Mannor of Leeds Castle as indeed it had been in Appendage unto that , and the Castellans of it , it was granted at that Time to Sir Anthony St. Leger , from whom it descended to his great Grandchild Sir Warham St. Leger , who about the latter end of King Iames exchanged it with Sir Richard Smith for Salmeston in the Isle of Thanet , and two thousand pound in Money to poise the Exchange , and make the Ballance even , and he not long after passed it away to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Hollingbourn , who hath lately enstated it on his Son and Heir Sir Cheyney Colepeper , who is entituled to the present Signory of it .

Milgate in this Parish was anciently a Mannor , though now by Intermission the Homage is lost and shrunk into Disuse and Oblivion ; It was in Ages of a more Antiquity , the possession of a Family called Coloigne , Robert de Coloigne was possest of it , and the Record taken after his Decease will inform you that he dyed seised of it in the thirty fifth year of Edward third , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 52. Parte prima . And in this Name , melted by a softer pronunciation in Times of a lower Date into Coluney , did the propriety of it reside untill the Reign of Edward the fourth , and then by an old Survey of Bersted , I find it in the Hands of Thomas Coluney , and this was in the fourteenth of that Princes Reign , when most of this County was surveyed , but after him I find no more of this Family entituled to the Possession , for in the Beginning of Henry the seventh it was annexed to the Inheritance of Stonehouse , whose ancient Seat was at Haselwood in Boughton Malherbe , where they flourished for many Generations , even down unto our Times , and was constant to the Interest of that Name , untill the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was passed away to Sir Thomas Floyd Receiver to that Princess , and Justice of the Peace for this County , and he much took off from the Obscurity of this Seat , by adding an additional Magnificence , by making the ancient Fabrick swell into the Dimensions not onely of a stately but an elegant Pile , by an augmentation of Building , and from him did it devolve by Descent to his Grandchild Mr. Thomas Floyd Esquire , who some few years since transplanted his Right in it by sale into Mr. ...... Cage .

There is another Mannor in this Parish called Stone-house , which formerly lay couched in that Revenue which gave support to the Priory of Christ Church , but upon the Resignation of the Demeasn of that Cloister into the Hands of Henry the eighth , it was by a new Grant linked to that Patrimony , which was to be subservient to the Interest of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church , which had newly then from the Authority and Munificence of that Prince , received its first Establishment . And certainly from this place , did the Stone-houses both of Kent , Berkshire , and Buckinghamshire , either as Tenants to the Monks of the abovesaid Cloister , or else as having some Mansion , or Habitation of theirs , situated no far distance from this Mannor , anciently extract and spin out the primitive Original of their Name and Family : This is my conjecture , which I leave to more sober and severer Understandings either to embrace , or else abandon and discard .

Brabourne in the Hundred of Bircholt Franchises , was a Record drawn out of an old Manuscript , does engage me to affirm the Inheritance in Times of a very ancient Date of a Lady called Salburga the Words of the Record that strengthen this Assertion are these ; Provaeda Matrona Nomine Salburga Domina de Brabourne Testamentum constitit , ut qui tenerent Brabourne darent annuatim Sancto Augustino 40 Ambras Brasii , ( that is , Plates of Brass ) 4 Boves , 15 Arietes , 20 Panes , 1 Piss . Butyri , 1 Piss . Casei , 4 Carucatas Lignorum ( that is , four Carts Loads of Wood ) 20 Gallinas , eâ Lege ut Monarchi singulis Diebus cantarent pro anima ejus , Psalmum Exaudiat te Dominus , &c. This Records attests the abovesaid Lady to have died about the year 864. In Times of a lower Descent , I find Alexander de Strabolgie Earl of Athol , who flourished here in the Reign of Henry the third , and Edward the first , to have held it , and from him did it devolve to his great Grandchild , David de Strabolgie Earl of Athol , who held it at his Death , which was in the thirtieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 19. and left it to his Son David de Strabolgie , who dying in the forty ninth year of Edw. the third without Issue Male , Elizabeth matched to Sir Thomas Percy , from whose Heir General the Lord Borough of Ster-borough was descended , and Philippa wedded to John Halsham of Halsham in Sussex , shared his Inheritance : but this Mannor upon the Partition acknowledged her for Inheritrix , and She was in Possession of it at her Death , which was in the nineteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. and by a Right derived from her did John Halsham possess it at his Decease , which was in the second year of Henry the fifth , Rot. Esc . Num. 8. and from him did it descend to his Son Sir Hugh Halsham Knight , who deceased in the twentieth year of Henry the sixth , and left onely Joan Halsham his Daughter and Heir , who was wedded to John Lewknor of Sussex Esquire , and so this Mannor by this Alliance became the Inheritance of that Family , but made no long abode in their Name , for the abovesaid Io. Lewknor , and Ioan his Wife in the fifth year of Edward the fourth passed it away to Sir Iohn Scott Comptroller of the House to K. Edward the fourth , and from this Sir Iohn Scott is Mr. Edward Scott Esquire , by an uninterrupted Chanell of an Original unquestioned Descent extracted , who is at this instant , by a Right transplanted unto him from many illustrious Predecessors , entituled to the Possession of this place .

Bircholt in this Parish , is made more eminent in this Account , because it affords a Name to the whole Hundred wherein it is situated ; by Deeds of a very reverend and venerable Aspect , which by the obsolete and antiquated Character seem to have been written in the Time of K. Iohn and Henry the third , it is made the Inheritance originally of a Family called Bircholt ; Stephen de Bircholt possessor of this Mannor paid respective Aid for it ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third . But after the Reign of this Prince , I do not find long permanent in this Family , for in the Reign of Henry the fourth , several old Court Rolls discover to me one Richard Halk or Hawke of Westhawks in Kingsnoth , to be planted in the Possession , and an old Arbor Radicalis or Tree from whence branches out the several Descents of Hawk or Halke , and which is now preserved amongst the Evidences of Bircholt House ; this Family is made to have been Proprietaries of this Mannor ever since the Beginning of Richard the second , nor is yet departed from the Name , but remains at this instant knit to the rest of the Demeasn of this ancient Family .

Heminge is the last place of account in Brabourne , which anciently yielded both Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Appellation ; I shall not need to make a Recapitulation from Deeds without Date , of the Antiquity of this Family at this place , it is enough that I shall inform the Reader that after it had been the Possession of this Name ( as may be traced out by Evidences ) almost three hundred years , it was conveyed by William Heminge in the second year of Edward the sixth to Peter Nott , in which Name the Title is now resident .

Benenden in the Hundred of Cranbrooke was , as Doomesday Book informs me , if not all yet for a principal part of it possest by one Godricus or Godric . In Benenden mansit Godricus ( says the Record ) & tenet XX. Acras in Alodio suo . What this Alodium was , the Civilians , and out of them Sir Henry Spilman in his Glossarie will inform you . Alodium est praedium liberum ( saith he ) nulli Servituti obnoxium , quod opponitur Feudo , nam olim Feuda non possent vendi sine consensu Domini . At Alodium vero est . quod per omnem haeredum seriem discurrit , & cuivis è populo ( etiam reclamante Domino ) dare possit aut venundari . The result of all which is this , that the word Alodium signifies a Free Inheritance or Patrimony , not chained up to any particular Service whatsoever , which hath the least Resemblace or symtome of servitude , either by Custome , Prescription , or Law imprinted upon it , and may in English be styled Free Soccage , and which being transmitted and conducted along by an uninterrupted Series of Descent from Posterity to Posterity , might be pawned , mortgaged or alienated to any Person whatsoever ; whereas on the contrary , Lands which were Feudal could not be passed away without the Lords consent : And this agrees with the Municipal Laws of France , which anciently styled those Persons whose Lands were fortified with that Tenure , Leuds Francs , id est , Nobiles nullius Domini Imperio evocati , Homines sui Juris , & non Feudalis , id est , nullo Feudi Gravamine coerciti vel restricti ; that is , Men of a noble Extraction , free and unrestrained , whose Demeasns were not manacled and tyed up with the Obligations of any Tenure which was Servile , as those whose Lands were Fendal : But enough of this , I shall now return to Benenden , which as it gave Seat to the above mentioned Godricus , so it seems his Descendants extracted there Sirname from thence , and assumed the Denomination of Benenden , and bare for their Armes in a Shield Azure a Lobster Or , and certainly were of Account in this Track , for John the Son of Roger de Benenden , held a Knights Fee in Benenden in the twentieth year of Edward the third : But as all Families are chained up to a fixed Period , ( like the Sea which is it self bound in with a Girdle of Sand ) so had this its conclusion likewise , for Joan Benenden the Heir General of this Name , by matching with Sir William Brenchley Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , fastned this Mannor to his Inheritance , and they both lie buried in Christ Church in Canterbury , He died , as the Date upon their Tomb , for they slumber under one Marble , insorms me , in the year 1446 , and She in the year 1453. But after his Decease the Title of this place , did quickly acknowledge another Proprietary , for the Heir General of this Family matched to More of More Court in Ivy-Church , where having been many Generations , they dislodged from so solitary an Habitation , and planted themselves at Benenden , where they erected a House and adopted it into their own Name , by styling it More Court , but though it still stand an Alphabet to the Memory of this Family by bearing their Sirname , yet did it not many years after its first Institution and Frame acknowledge the Signory of this Family , for John More Esquire , in the first year of Q. Mary , conveyed it to Mr. William Watts , from whom by successive Right it is now come down to Mr. ......... Watts , and owns him for its present Proprietary .

The Mannor of Hempsted in this Parish , anciently , that is , about the twentieth year of Henry the third , belonged , as appears by the Book in the Exchequer , called Testa de Nevil , to Robert de Hempsted , from whence he assumed his Sirname , which could not make the Title long liv'd in his Family ; for about the Beginning of Edward the third , I find it passed away to Echingham of Sussex , and James de Echingham held it by the fourth part of a Knights Fee , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight ; but after this the Title was not long constant to the Interest of this Family ; for about the Beginning of Richard the second , I find it in the Hands of Sir Robert Belknap the Judge , who being attainted in the tenth year of that Prince , by the Malice and crooked Arts of a factious and insolent Nobility , there was Survey taken of his Estate in the fourteenth year of his Reign , and then this Mannor with the residue of his Estate escheated , being annexed to the Crown , it was by Richard the second granted to William de Guldford Sheriff of Kent , in the eleventh year of that Prince , descended from Henry de Guldford , a great Benefactor to the Priory of Taning , in the twenty eighth year of Edw. the first , and who is mentioned in the Book of Aid to have held the Mannor of Wickham near Lidde in Kent , by Knights Service , in the twentyeth year of Edward the third ; and the abovesaid William having thus by the Favour of his Prince obtained this Mannor , made it his Seat , and transmitted it to his Successors , who much improved it with the Supplement of Additional Buildings , so that it hath not only formerly for many Generations continued to be the Seat of this Familie , but is likewise a Mansion relating to this Name at this instant .

Great Maytham in Benenden was a Mannor which related to the Proprietie of the noble Family of Malmains , whose principal Seat was at Malmains in Stoke , in the Hundred of Hoo ; Nicholas Malmain Grandchild of John Malmain who likewise held this Mannor in the twentieth year of Henry the third , paid a proportionate supply for Maytham at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edw. the third , and died possest of it in the twenty third year of that Prince : But after this it was not long permanent in this Name , for in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , Nicholas Carew held it at the Marriage of Blanch that Princes Daughter , and in his Family was the Title constant untill the latter End of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away to Thomas Lord Cromwell , afterwards created Earl of Essex , who being convicted of High Treason in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth , it escheated to the Crown , and that Prince in the thirty third year of his Rule granted it to Sir Thomas Wiatt , who the same year conveyed it by Sale to Sir Walter Henley of Coursehorne , the Kings Serjeant at Law , and he not long after disposed of it to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgbury Esquire , who had wedded Hellen one of his three Daughters and Coheirs , and he in the last year of Edward the Sixth alienated some part of the Land which related to it to Richard Parker and Anthony Franklin , but the Mannor it self rested in Colepeper of Bedgebury , untill the late King granted it away not many years since to Alderman Wright of London , as being forfeited to the Crowne , because the Lord of it did not pay those Scots and Assessements which were laid upon him towards the Reparation of the Banks of the Mersh ; and by Margaret the Daughter and Coheir of the abovesaid Alderman , is it now become the Inheritence of Mr. Richard Cordall of London Esquire .

Lowden or little Maytham is the last Mannor in this Parish , and was wrapped up in that wide Estate which in this County claimed the Family of Atteleeze for Proprietaries , Sir Richard Attleeze held four Knights in Rolvenden and Benenden in the twentieth year of Edward the third , whereof this was parcell , but he dying without Issue in the year 1394 , as is manifest by the Date on his Tomb in Shelwich Church , Marcellus Attleeze his Brother became the Heir to his Estate , but this Mannor was not long after resident in this Name , for in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , which happened about the year 1403 , ( as appears by the Record kept in the Exchequer , called the Roll of Blanch-Lands ) it was possest by Thomas Aucher , and he paid respective Aid for it at the Marriage of Blanch that Princes Daughter , and from him did it devolve by Descent to his Grandchild John Aucher of Losenham Esquire , who concluded in Ann Aucher his sole Heir , who was matched to William Colepeper second Son of Sir John Colepeper of Bedgebury , and so this Mannor with much other Land came to own the Dominion of that Name , and remained annexed to that Family many Descents , untill not many years since it was by Sir John Colepeper of Losenham created Lord Colepeper at Oxford , passed away to his Brother in Law Mr. ...... More .

Bethersden in the Hundred of Chart and Longbridge , contains several places in it considerable , the first that summons our Notice is Bethersden Lovelace , which celebrates the Memory of a Family called Grensted , now vulgarly styled Grenstreet , who were its elder Proprietaries , the last of whom was Henry de Grensted a man of eminent Repute , as the Records of this County testifie , in the Reign of Edward the second , and Edward the third , but fell under some Umbrage and Obscurity , when he passed away his Estate here to Kinet , in whom the Possession was very volatile , for William Kinet in the fourty first year of Edward the third , conveyed it by Sale to Jo. Lovelace , who here erected that Structure that for so many Descents hath born the Name of this Family , and was the Seminary or Seedplot from whence a Race of Gentlemen issued forth , who have in Military Affairs atcheived Reputation and Honour , with a prodigal Losse and Expence both of Blood and Life , and by their deep Judgement in the municipal Laws have deserved well of the Common Wealth , and as by their Extraction they are descended from noble Families , so from hence have sprung those of Bayford in Sedingbourn and Kingsdown , with the right Honorable the Lord Lovelace of Hurley , and other Gentlemen of that Stem in Barkeshire ; but alas ! this Mansion is now like a Dial when the Sun is gone , that then only is of use to declare that there hath been a Sun , for not many years since Colonel Richard Lovelace eldest Son to Sir William Lovelace the last of this Name at this Place , passed away his Right in Bethersden Lovelace to Mr. Richard Hulse descended from the ancient Family of Hulse of Norbury and Astly in Cheshire .

Surrenden the elder House to that of Pluckley , for they both had one Ancestor , was the Seat for many Generations of Gentlemen of that Name , in Deeds without Date they are frequently written Suthrinden , and continued here untill the Reign of Henry the sixth , for in the second year of Henry the fourth , I find by a Fine levyed that year that Robert Surrenden sells Lands in Bethersden to John Goldwell , and this Robert had Issue John , who passed it away about the Beginning of Henry the sixth to Cardinal Kemp , who setled it in the twenty eighth year of the abovesaid Prince on the Colledge of Wye , then newly by him erected , but when that Colledge and all its Demeasne was in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth surrendred into the hands of that Prince , it was by Grant united about the thirty seventh year of his Rule , to to the Patrimony of Sir Maurice Dennis Captain of Calais , and he in the second year of Edward the sixth alienated it to Sir Anth. Aucher , in whom it was resident but untill the fourth year of that Prince , for then it was conveyed by Sale to Philip Chowte Esquire , Standard-bearer to King Henry the eighth at the Seige of Boloign , where he wan and at cheived much Honour to himself and Posterity , which was remarkably testifyed by his Soveraigns Assignation of a Canton of that Standards impression to his ancient Coat , viz. Partie per pale Argent and Vert , a Lyon Passant Gardant Gules , and from this worthy Person did Surrenden by Paternal Devolution come down to his Successor Mr. Edw. Chowte , being lately deceased , it is with some Restrictions and Reservations by Will , bequeathed to his only Brother Mr. George Chowte , whose Ancestors having very much enhaunsed and improved the Beauty of the ancient Structure , by additional Buildings , it hath now contracted the Title of Surrenden Chowte , as that at Pluckley hath assumed to it self that of Surrenden Dering .

Frith is the last place of Account in this Parish , it was in Ages of an higher date , the Patrimony of the Mayneys , as appears by several old Deeds now in the hands of Mr. George Chowte , who were a younger branch issued out from that Stem which was planted at Tunstall , as is evident by an old Latin Will of John de Mayney , who dyed possest of this place in the fiftyeth year of Edward the third , where he gives an Obit to pray for his own and the Soul of his Kinsman Sir Walter de Mayney ; after the Mayneys were departed from the Possession of this Mannor , the Darrells of Cale Hill became the Proprietaties of it , and in the Reign of Henry the sixth , by several Deeds , too redious in this place to enumerate , I find John Darrell to be possest of it , and in this Name was the Title permanent untill the latter end of the Reign of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away to Gibbons , descended from Hole in Rolvenden the originall Fountain and Seminary of this Family , the last of which Family at this place was Thomas Gibbon● , in our Crandfathers Memory concluding in Lidia Gibbon● his Daughter and Heir , she by matching with Edward Chowte of Surrenden Esquite , hath made it now the Inheritance of his Grandchild Mr. George Chowte Esquire .

In a peculiar Chancel on the Northside , the Parish Church of Bethersden belonging to Lovelace there was a perpetuall Chauntry founded about the thirty eighth year of Hen. the sixth , by Richard Lovelace Mercer and Merchant Adventurer of London , a younger Son of this Family , which was confirmed by the Royall Authority of the abovesaid Prince .

Brenchley in the Hundred of Harmondon Twyford , was parcel of that vast Patrimony which was entituled to the Signory of the Earls of Glocester and Hertford , whose Sirname was Clare , Robert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford held it at his Death , which was in the twenty first year of Edward the first , and lest it to his Son Gilbert de Clare , who deceasing in the eighth year of Edward the second without Issue , Hugh de Audley in right of his Wife , Sister and Heir to the abovesaid Gilbert , ( whom our Printed Books of Nobility call Isabell , though in the Inquisition taken after his Death , which was in the twenty first of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. She is styled Margaret ) entered upon the Inheritance of this place but the Fatality of the other Family did likewise cleave to this , for the Spindle prevailed against the Spear ; Margaret being Sole Daughter and Heir to this Hugh Audley , in whom the Name at , this place met with a sad enterment , and the Estate by her matching with Ralph Stafford Earl of Stafford , found another Proprietary , and he in her Right held it at his Decease , which was in the forty sixth year of Edward the third , and transmitted it to his Son Thomas Earl of Stafford , who likewise was in the enjoyment of it at his Death , which happened in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , and from him was the Possession transported along by an unbroken Thread of Descent to Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham , and Earl of Stafford , a Man magnificent , but infortunate , who being accused of high Treason , attainted and beheaded in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and his Estate here confiscated in the thirteenth , and rested in the Crown untill the abovesaid Prince in the thirty first year of his Reign granted it to Paul Sidnor , and he not long after passed it away by Sale to William Lambert Esquire , who setled it upon the Colledge of Alms people at Greenwich , which is vulgarly called Q. Elizabeths Colledg , with a Limitation reserved , that the Heirs male of his Line might hold it in Lease for ever , and in case they might fail , that the last might dispose of it by Testament or Deed to whom he pleased ; by virtue of which Reservation , Mr. John Lambert of Sevenoke Esquire is at this instant Lessee to the Colledge for this Mannor .

Bokinfold in this Parish is an eminent Mannor which belonged to that Chauntry and Chappel which was founded here by Hamon de Crevequer ( and confirmed as appears by the first Book of Compositions , kept amongst the Records of the Church of Rochester , ) with the Demeasne appertaining to it , in the forty first year of Ed. the third , and continued being thus forseited and secured by the Royal Charter , untouched , untill the generall Suppression ; and being dissolved , the Revenue which anciently supported it , was in the thirty first of Henry the eighth , carried of by Grant to Paul Sidnor Esquire , who not long after passed it away to Sir John Gates , to whom it was again confirmed in the first year of Edward the sixth ; but he being infortunately attainted in the fourth year of the abovesaid Prince , as being one of the Partisans of the Duke of Somerset , to whose Service , and for whose Cause he sacrificed his Head , this returned to the Crown , and dwelt in its Revenue untill Queen Elizabeth granted it away again to Katharine Tong , who suddenly after alienated her Interest in it to Revell , and he about the latter End of Queen Elizabeth passed it away to Colepeper , from whom in our Fathers Memory it went away to Dyke , and very suddenly from him again to Mr. Benedict Barnham , by one of whose four Daughters and Coheirs it came to be the Patrimony of Soam , who lately hath demised his whole Concernment in it to Mr. George Brown formerly of Spelmonden in Kent , now of Buckland in Surrey .

There was formerly a Park at this Place , for in the second year of Edward the second , Bartholomew de Badelesmer held the Mannor and Park of Bockinfold in Fee , by grant from that Prince , and the advowson of the Free Chappel of the same ; and Edward the second in the nineteenth year of his Reign , being on his way to France , to do his Homage for the Dutchy of Apuitain , suddenly drew back his Foot , and retired to this Place , where he reposed himself , and caused many to be indicted for their unlawfull and irregular hunting in the Park at Bokinfold , nor hath Time so dismantled or disparked it , but that yet there are some Memorials or Vestigias , remaining which attest the Truth of the Premises .

Criolls Court is another Manor in Brenchley , which by Joan Daughter of Bertram de Crioll , and Heir Generall of her Brother John de Crioll it came to Sir Richard de Rokesley , and by his Daughter and Heir Joan to Thomas de Poynings whose Successor Sir Ed. Poynings dying in the twelfth year of Hen. the eighth without Issue or any collateral Alliance , in the fourteenth year of that Prince it escheated to the Crown , afterwards it was granted in the thirty first year of that Prince to Paul Sidnor Esquire employed as Agent to that Prince into Spain and he not long after alienated it to William Lambert Esquire , who setled it upon the Colledge of poor people at Greenwich of his Erection , with a Reservation that the Heits male of his Line might hold it in Lease for ever , by virtue of which limitation it is now enjoyed by Mr. John Lambert of Sevenoke Esquire .

Parrocks in this Parish was anciently a Mannor relating to a Family of that Denomination , which continued Lords of the Fee untill the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then it was by Sale conveyed to William Hextall Esquire , who dying without Issue male , Margaret his sole Daughter and Heir brought this and much Land beside to be the Inheritance of William Whetenhall Esquire , from whom the right of Descent wafted it down to his Successor Sir Richard Whetenhall , who in the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth demised it to William Brooke Lord Cobham , who not long after passed it away to Sir Thomas Nevill Grandfather to the right honorable Mildmay Earl of Westmerland now Possessor of it .

Mascals , Capgrove or Capgrave , and Chekeswell , are three Mannors in Brenchley also , which as the Book of Aid informs me , were in the tweneieth year of Edward the third , in the possession of John de Capgrave , and it is probable that John Capgrave an eminent Monk , an Ornament to Learning , and to the Priory of Christ Church , who flourished in the year 1484 , and is mentioned with so much Honour by Pitseus , was descended from this man , in whose Name these Mannors were not after this long permanent , for as the learned and laborious Sidrach Petit does informe me in his Inquest of Kent , they fell in the Reign of Richard the second , under the Signory of Vaux , whose Successor about the latter end of Henry the sixth alienated his Propriety in them to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham , whose infortunate Grandchild Edward Duke of Buckingham being attainted in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , these with the Residue of his Estate escheated to the Crown ; from which not many years after , they were passed away to Edward Ferrers Esquire , and he conveyed his Right to Whetonhall , who about the beginning of King James demised them to Ouldsworth , who not long after sold them to Bartue , and he almost in our Memory transmitted them by Sale to Mr. Cha. Tucker Father to the present Owner .

The Rectory of Brenchley was given by Richard de Clare to the Canons of St. Mary Magdalen in Tunbridge , and compounded with the Bishop of Rochester , with this Provision reserved , that the Rector for the Time being should pay two wax Tapers of four pound Weight to the Priory of Tunbridge at the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen . The Mannor which was annexed to this Rectory , was upon the Dissolution of this Cloister in the thirty first year of Henry the eighth granted to Paul Sidnor , and he not long after passed it away to William Waller Esquire , from which Family not many years since it was by Purchase invested in the Family of Courthop .

Moatlands was the Inheritance of a Family who extracted their Sirname from hence , and were called Brenchley , a Branch of which was Sir William Brenchley Lord Cheif Justice of the Common Pleas , who founded a Chauntry or Chappel in the Navy of the Cathedral at Canterbury , and dyed in the year 1446 without Issue ; nor did these Lands continue much longer in the Name , for in the Beginning of Edward the fourth I find them in the Tenure of More , who had matched with the Heir Generall , and here the Propriety of this place remained interwoven , with the Inheritance of this Family untill that Age which fell under our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was transplanted by Sale into Roberts , the Family with now possesses it .

There are two other Seats in this Parish , which may deserve our notice ; the first is Cats-Place , which gave Seat to Hugh de Cat , and in Recompence took its Denomination from him , and after the Title of it had lodged in this Name many Descents , even until the Reign of Henry the sixth , it was passed away to Tilden , of Tildens Place in Marden ; and after the Possession had some Ages been united to their Interest , it was some few years since unfastned , and the Propriety of it carried over to Bassage .

The second is Vanes , which yielded both Seat and Sirname to as Illustrious a Family as any in this Track , Robert Vane or Fane ( for they are proimiscuously so written in ancient Rolls ) paid respective Aid for it , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth of Edward the third , and is from him by a continued Series still transported along in the Demeasn of this Name and Family ; so that here ( if my Light fail me not ) should I look for the original of that Noble Name and Family , that since hath so fairly spread into so many several Branches issued primitively from this first original Stem .

Bredgar in the Hundred of Milton , hath several places in it observable ; The first is Bexon , from whence the Borough of Bexon or Bexon Street derives it self ; It gave Sirname to a Family in whom in clder Times the Inheritance was planted , and there is yet extant in the Church Windows in coloured Glass a superannuated Portraicture mangled by rude hands , and demolished almost by the Injuries of Time , with this Inscription affixed to the pedestal , Orate pro Anima Joannes de Bexon , which discovers to us whose Effigies is represented by it ; this Iohn Bexon flourished in the Reign of Edward the second , as appears by Deeds , and Edward the third , and had Issue Iohn Bexon likewise Rroprietary of this place , after whom I can track no more of the Family at Bredgar : In the Reign of Richard the second , I find it invested in Tong , who it is probable were extracted originally from Tong , not far distant , a Family of good estimate in this County , for I find by some old Deeds , that Semanus de Tong who in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , was Tenant to the Maison le Dieu in Ospringe , for Lands at Lurdinden in Challock , sealed with a bend cotised between six Martletts , and sometimes with the bend uncotised , and from him are the Tongs who are now Possessors of this place , originally descended .

Swanton Court was parcel of that Estate which claimed the Lords Leybourn for Proprietaries , and from them descended to the Heir General of the Family , Iuliana de Leybourn , who dying in the forty third year of Edward the third without Kindred , or without Issue , either by Hastings or Clinton , this upon a Defailance of both escheated to the Crown , and King Edward the third , in the fiftieth year of his Reign setled it upon the Abby of Grace upon Tower Hill , in whose Reverue it rested until the Suppression of that Cloister , and then it was by Henry the eighth in the thirty sixth year of his Reign granted to Christopher Sampson , and he in the second year of Edward the sixth conveyed it to Sir Thomas Wiat , and he being attainted in the second year of Queen Mary , it returned by escheat to the Crown , from whence by a new concession it came over to Reader , who not many years since conveyed his right in it to Aldersey , branched out from the ancient Family of Aldersey , of Aldersey in Cheshire : so that it is now the Inheritance of Terrey Aldersey Esquire .

The Colledge of Bredgar was converted from a Parish Church , first into that we now call a Colledge , by Robert then Parson thereof in the reign of Richard the second , which was establishsd and ratified ( saith Harpsfield ) by Thomas Arundell Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ; and in this Capacity or posture it stood until the Dissolution , and then being born away into the royal Revenue , it was by Exchange with the Crown , in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , annexed to the revenue for the future of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury .

There is a place in this Parish called Mans , as being in elder Times a Mansion of that Name , as Deeds both of an ancient and modern Date do inform me , which whether it were the ancient Seat of the Mans , who have since been transplanted to Canterbury , is uncertain ; onely it is very probable , because it had Proprietaries of that Denomination , that this was the Fountain whence this Family issued forth .

Brenset in the Hundred of Aloesbridge had still the same Proprietaries with Newington Belhouse near Hieth , and therefore is called Newington Brenset ; and thither for farther satisfaction I shall refer my Reader , only I must inform him , that here is an old Mansion in this Parish , which for several Descents was the Seat of the Edolphs , before they were transplanted to Hinxhill , and certainly in elder Times were of good Account in this County , and writ their Names in old Deeds Edulf ; for so is Stephen Edulf written in an old Commission , directed to him , John Peckham and Martin Horne , wherein they were made Collectors for the Cinque Ports in the sixth year of Richard the second ; but now this Family hath deserted this Place , having not many years since alienated their Interest here to Mr. John Fagge of Rye , Father to John Fagge of Wiston in Sussex Esquire , to whose Revenue it remains now annexed .

Betshanger in the Hundred of Eastry , was in elder Times the Patrimony of a Family called Marney or Marin for so the Name is promiscuously written ; Jo. de Marney , who is in some old Deeds called Marins , obtained a Charter of Free Warren to his Mannor of great Betshanger the first year of Edw. the first ; but it seems this Franchise did but improve the Sale , and make it more fit to be enjoyed by another , for not long after it was conveyed to John de Soles , so called from his Habitation near some Ponds , and he died in the enjoyment of it , in the forty ninth year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 40. Parte secunda . But after this it was not long constant to the Signory of this Family , for about the Beginning of Richard the second , I find it possest by Bertram de Tancrey Lord of Tancrey Island in Fordwich , and his Descendants enjoyed it until the latter end of Henry the fourth , and then it went away by Sale to Rutter ; from which Name about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , it came to Lichfield , whose Arms are yet visibly obvious in ancient Pains of Glass at Dane Court in Tilmanston , viz. Bendee of six Pieces Azure and Ermin , and in this Family it continued until the Beginning of Henry the eighth , and then by the Heir General of this Name it became united to the Patrimony of Thomas Cox Esquire , Customer of Sandwich , who about the latter end of Henry the eighth , conveyed it by Sale to Mr. John Bois , Ancestor to John Bois Esquire , who by Paternal Devolution is now entituled to the Signory of it .

Little Betshanger was a Seat relating to the Family of Cliderow , which in elder Times was of eminent Account in this Track , yet I find that Iohn de St. Philibert held Lands here in the thirty first year of Edward the third , but the Mannor it self was an Appendage to the above mentioned Family ; * * He was Knight of the Shire , in the seventh year of Henry the fourth . Roger de Cliderow flourished here in the Reign of Edward the second , and Edward the third , and as appears by Seals affixed to old Evidences , which commence from the last Kings Reign , bore for his Coat Armour upon a Cheveron between three Eagles five Annulets , his Successor Richard Cliderow was Sheriff of Kent the fourth and most part of the fifth year of Henry the fourth ; he was constituted soon after Admiral of the Seas , from the Thames mouth along the Saxon Shore to the West ; for in those Times the Admiralty was divided sometimes into three , and most commonly into two Divisions , one beginning at the Thames mouth was Admiral of the Northern Seas , the second was Admiral from the Thames mouth Westward , and the third had the command of the Irish Seas ; but in this man's Time King Henry the fourth , in the eighth year of his Reign , reduced it under one Person , and granted it with more ample and wide Authority under his Brother John Beauford Earl of Somerset . But to proceed after the Title of this place had remained locked up in the Demeasn of Cliderow , until the latter end of . Hen. the eighth , it passed away with the Female Inheritrix to Thomas Stoughton Esquire , by whom he had three Daughters , who were Coheirs to their Mother , Elizabeth matched to Thomas Wild Esquire , Helen married to Edward Nethersole , and Mary wedded to Henry Paramour , who by a joynt conveyance passe away their right to their Father in the twentieth year of Queen Elizabeth , and he in the twenty first year by Deed re-enstates his right in them , and they again by a concurrent and mutual consent alienate their Interest here in the twenty eighth year of her Rule to Mr. John Gookin , and he about the first year of King James conveyed it to Sir Henry Lodelow , who not many years since passed it away to Mr. Edward Bois of Great Betshanger Father to Mr. John Bois Esquire , the present Lord of the Fee .

Bicknor in the Hundreds of Milton and Eythorn , was in elder Times the Habitation of a Family of that Sirname , Sir John de Bicknor and Sir Thomas de Bicknor accompanied King Edward the first in his successeful Expedition into Scotland and are found Recorded in the Register or Bedroll of those Knights who were made Bannerets at Carlaverock Castle by that Prince , in the twenty eighth year of his Government ; but after this , this Mannor stayed not long in the Tenure of this Family ; for in the Reign of Edward the second , it came to acknowledge the Dominion of Roger de Leybourn Baron of Leybourn Castle ; from whom it descended to his Sole Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourn , who dying in the forty third year of Edw rd the third without Issue and without Kindred , it devolved by Escheat to the Crown , and then that Prince setled it by a new Donation on the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-Hill , where it continued until the publick Suppression and then being surrendred up to the Crown , it was in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth granted to Christopher Sampson , and he in the second year of Edward the sixth passed it away to Sir Thomas Wiat ; from whom not long after it came by the same conveyance to own the Interest of Reader , who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth alienated his Right in it to Terry , who almost in our Memory , partly by Sale , and partly in respect of Alliance , setled the Propriety of it on Aldersey , so that Mr. Farnham Aldersey , a second Brother of Terrey Aldersey of Swanton Court Esquire , is now Lord of the Fee .

Biddenden in the Hundreds of Barkeley , Cranbroke and Blackbourn , had an old Family which took both Seat and Sirname from hence , and when this was consumed and vanished , the Mayneys were the next who were successively Possessors of it , John de Mayney died seised of this and other Lands confining upon it , in the fiftieth year of Edward the third , and was Son of Sir John de Mayney who flourished here , as appears by Deeds , under the worthy Character of Knighthood many years before ; and to this Name was the Possession by a continued and unbroken Series of Ages wedded , until some years since the Title was by Sale divorced from this Family , and conveyed by Sir Anthony Mayney Knight and Baronet , to Sir Edw. Henden Chief Baron of the Exchequer ; and he by Testament transmitted it to his Nephew Sir John Henden , who having lately paid a Debt to Nature which we all owe , his Son and Heir Edw. Henden Esquire , does at this instant enjoy it .

Allards is another ancient Seat in this Parish , which for many Generations past , until of late , acknowledged it self to be the Mansion of that Name and Family , and from hence was Gervas Alarar or Allard descended , who was Captain and Admiral of the Navy , set forth by the Cinque Ports in the first year of Edward the first , as appears , Pat. 34. Edwardi primi , but now the Distaffe hath prevailed against the Lance ; for this Name having been lately wound up in a Daughter and Heir , the Possession of it in her Right is now transplanted into Captain Terry Aldersey of Swanton Court in Bredgar Esquire .

Castwisell is a third place in Biddenden worth our Consideration , it was in Times very ancient Parcel of that Estate , which did in this County relate to the Moiles , extracted from Moiles Court at Bodmin in Cornwall , and certainly did as high acknowledge the Signory of this Knightly Family , as any Land they held in this County , for though by some old Deeds not bounded with any date , I find the Name of John de Castwisell affixed as Teste , yet by those old Deeds and Muniments , which have an Aspect upon this Mannor , I discover that Walter Moile Knight in the sixth year of Edw. the third did grant to Reginald and William Sand : all those Lands , Tenements , Rents and Services which Simon Gidinden ad Formam late held of the said Sit Walter , as of his Mannor of Castwisell , and by a subsequent Deed dated in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth , I find that Margaret Widow of William Scapis of Burmersh , did grant to Walter Moile which was the Judge , all that Messuage and Land she held in Biddenden , and by a Deed of a more modern Inscription , that is one which comences from the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , I find that Thomas Moile of Eastwell Gentleman , afterwards dignified with the order of Knighthood by the abovesaid Prince , conveyed it to Stephen Rogers Gentleman , and from him is Mr. Jonathan Rogers , now possessor of this place , originally descended .

Bidborough is the last place which shuts up the Lowy of Tunbridge , here were Lands which were the Inheritance of a Family called Chauney , the first of whom with whom I meet with in Record is Thomas le Chauney , who paid respective Aid for it at making the Black Prince Knight ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and continued in his Family divers years after his Exit ; for in the latter end of Henry the fourth , I find George Chauney possest of it ; but after him I can trace out no more of this Family who held it ; the next who succeeded in the Possession were the Palmers , as is manifest by some old Court Rolls , which represent one Thomas Palmer to have been Lord of the Fee in the Reign of Ed. the fourth , and Henry the seventh , but made no long stay in this Name ; for about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , it was alienated to John Vane Esquire , and the descendant of this Family Sir Ralph Vane being attainted in the fourth year of Edw. the sixth , it escheated to the Crown , and Queen Elizabeth in the first year of her Rule granted it to Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon , of whom more hereafter .

Ramhurst is another little Mannor in Bidborough , which the Book of Aid informs me in the twentieth year of Ed. the third , to have been possest by a Family called Warehall , and remained in their possession until the Reign of Henry the fourth , and then it was passed away to Colepeper , whose Ancestor John Colepeper died seised of some Estate here in the forty eighth year of Edward the third , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 29. and in this Family was the Propriety resident until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was transferred by Sale to Lewknor , from whom , in that Age which came within the Verge of our Grand-fathers Remembrance , it was alienated and demised to Dixon , in Right of which Conveyance it is the instant Possession of Mr. Edward Dixon Esquire .

There is an House in this Parish called Bounds , and in ancient Deeds called Bunds , which , as Tradition avers , was the utmost Margin or Limit which bounded that League of Earth which hath been since known by the Name of the Lowy of Tunbridge , and was given by Will . Rufus to Gilbert Earl of Briony and Eu , because his Castle of Briony had been before by Violence torn from him by Robert Duke of Normandy , because this Earl had been a Promoter , or at least a Fomenter of the Designs of his Brother King William .

The Mannor of Bidborough it self had the same owners with that of Tunbridge , as namely , the Earls of Clare , Audley , and Stafford , and escheating by forfeiture to the Crown , upon the attaint of Edw. Stafford Duke of Buckingham in the twelfth year of Hen. the eighth , it was by Q. Elizabeth granted in the first year of her Reign to Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon , whose Son George Cary Lord Hunsdon dying without Issue Male his onely Inheritrix Elizabeth wedded to Thomas Lord Barkley linked it to his Patrimony , and he in the Beginning of King James conveyed it to Sir Thomas Smith , Grand-father to Robert Smith Esquire , who lately died possest of it .

Bilsington in the Hundred of New-church , was folded up anciently in that Patrimony which acknowledged the Dominion of John Mansel , a man of eminent Note in the Reign of Henry the third , as appears by that Chain of offices which adorned his Greatness ; for he was Constable of Dover-Castle , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , Provost of Beverley , for the abovesaid Prince , and Queen Eleanor his Wife , and Treasurer of the Church of York ; but he not long enjoyed it , for he in the twenty seventh year of Henry the third , made God his Heir , and devested himself of the propriety of it , to settle it on the Priory of Bilsington , which was of his Foundation and Endowment , and by dedication entituled to the Patronage of the Virgin Mary , and was furnished with white Canons , or Canons Pramonstratenses ; and in this condition did it remain , until not onely this , but all other Orders in this Nation , having warped and revolted from their original Integrity , and those closer Engagements and narrower Restraints , the Rules of their primitive Institution tyed them up in , a dissolution of Mannors called for a Dissolution of Demeasn ; but now , whether those who did so zealously pretend to correct their Lives , did not more seriously intend to reform the Ecclesiastical Patrimony , and arraign them , not according to the Guilt of their Crimes , but the Hainousness of their Estates , will fall under a sober Consideration ; that the Excesses of the Romish Clergie were high , their Imperfections many , and their Irregularities clamorous , is without controversie ; now what the Causes were which unfastned the Ligatures of streighter Discipline , which like so many Nerves did both move and tie together all the Limbs of the Body Ecclesiastick , I shall now briefly discover : The first Cause of this Depravation was the removing and abating those Persecutions which had so long with a sad and bloody pressure grated upon Christianity , under the Scepter of ten Heathen Tirants ; and we know that the Fable tepresents to us , that when the Laurell , the Guerdon , and Salary of Triumphs , and the Sweat of the Laborious shoulder , withered and shrunk into Decay , the Figgettee sprang up our of its Ruines , which is the Emblematick Type of Softness and Effeminacy ; and we read that the Lamps of Tullia and Terentia burnt with a clear and uninterrupted Flame , as long as they were Recluse to the Cloisters of their Urnes and Vaults , and dwelt in the Scene and Comprehension of Darkeness ; but when they were brought out into the Publick , like Camphire , they evaporated into the Air that fed them : So the Primitive Christians who shone with such a bright and constant Beam in the Night and Agony of their Affliction , when they were melted with the warmth and Sun-shine or a calme and prosperous Fortune , began to slacken into Luxury and Excess , Folly and Disorder ; and they that had dared Axes and Racks , Wheels and Gridirons , the Teeth of Beasts and the Fury of Men , the Heat of Persecution and the Flame of Oblation ; and in brief , had been inexpugnable to all the Artifices and Engines of Torture , contrived by impious men , fell afterwards cheaply and tamely , like those who are smothered with Roses , stifled with Perfumes , and strangled with a silken Halter . The second Cause , that elder observations insinuate to us , to have been the Reason of the Clergies deviation , is , that vast heap of temporal Treasure with which Constantine loaded the Bosome of the Church ; so that it may be truly affirmed , Religio peperit Divitias , & Filia devoravit Matrem ; for Poverty , though like a streight and narrow Girdle it does with its close and uneasie stricture pinch and afflict us , yet it keeps the Garment from falling into Loosness and Disorder ; whilst superfluity of Wealth is apt to untie those Restraints which are cast upon the Will , and unshackle those Fetters which are laid upon the sensual Appetite , rendring our Thoughts vain and trifling , foolish and impertinent , and our undertakings wild and irregular , making us soft and easie for the impressions of Vice ; but difficult and uncapable of the influences of Vertue , and the nobler Designs of Religion : For it is farther observable , that from Riches evaporate the Fumes of Luxury and Ambition , which like those Mists which exhale from the Crudities of a raw Stomach , debauch the understanding , and disorder Reason , and muffle them up in 〈◊〉 Vaile and in a Cloud ; and they that view the Light of Truth , which is the grea● Luminary in the Firmament of the Church , through the Vapours of secular Interest , are like those who take the Prospect of a Star , through a gross vaporous Body of Air : they behold it by the Chanel of so polluted a Medium , they view it in an uneven and incertain Paralax . The third Cause of the ●efection of Ecclesiastical Persons in the Church of Rome , from the severer Obligations of their original Institution , is this ; the Pope had newly entituled himself to a vast and uncircumscribed Power , and found that there was an Obligation imposed upon him to support the Clergy in all their Excesses and vitious Sallies , that so they might be obliged to engage the Pulpit and the Pen , in the asserting of that Authority which the Western Emperors vainly endevoured by frequent Contests and Struglings to wring out of his Hands , and reinvest in themselves ; and they looking up , and discovering that he beheld their Disorders with a calm and an indulgent Brow , let loose the Golden Reigns of Discipline ; and it is no wonder if at any Time the Bridle of Government be slackned , when the Snaffle that should keep it steady and even , hath lost its two Bosses , Fear and Punishment .

But I have digressed , I now return ; After the Suppression had entituled the Crown to this Maunor , which formerly supported the Convent of Bilsington , King Henry the eighth in the thirty seventh year of his Reign by Royall Concession made it the Inheritance of Sir Anthony St. Leger of Ulcombe , in which Family the Title was permanent , untill the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , and then his Son Sir Warham St. Leger passed it away to Sir Francis Barnham of London Knight , Sir Walter de Bernham was one of those who was at the seige of Carlaveock in Scotland with Edward the first in the twenty eighth of his Reign , Knights and bore the Paternall Coat of this Family , viz. Sables , A plain Cross engrailed between sour Crescents Argent . whose great Grand-childe Master Robert Barnham Esquire , by Paternal devolution and descent , does now claim the instant Signory of it .

Neither Bilsington in this Parish is that Mannor , which anciently was held by a Family called Staplegate of Staplegate in Natindon , who claimed to be the Kings chie Butler at his Coronation . The first that I find possest of it was Edmund de Staplegate to whom it was derived by Purchase , about the middle of Edward the third ; from Richard Fitz Allan Earl of Arundell , whose Ancestors held it many years before , and he having thus entered upon it by his Acquist , dyed possest of it in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 58 , and left it to his Son and Heir Edmund de Staplegate , and he in the first year of Richard the second put in his claim to be chief Butler at his Coronation , as holding this Mannor by the Tenure of grand Serjeantry to discharge that Office ; to evacuate his claim , Richard Earl of Arundell exhibits a Petition and Plea , wherein he asserts that the Office of chief Butler was never annexed to this Mannor of Bilsington , that his Family had enjoyed it both before the Possession and after the Alienation of it , and therefore desired he might perform it that Solemn Day ; upon the discussion of the whole Controversie , it was ordered , that that Day the Earl of Arundell should discharge it with a salvo jure , that it should not infringe the Right of Staplegate or any other that should pretend a Right or Title to it for the future . But to proceed , this Family held this Manor untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then the Fate of Sale carryed it away to Cheney , and Sir John Cheney Knight was seized of it at his Death , which was in the seventh year of Edward the fourth , and from him was it wafted down by the Thread of Descent to his Successor Henry Lord Cheney , who about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth alienated his Propriety in it to Sir Francis Barnham of London Knight , from whom by Successive Right the Title is now devolved to his great Grand-childe , Master Robert Barnham Esquire .

Birling in the Hundred of Larkfield , was belonging , when the great Survey of England was taken , called Doomsday Book , to one Ralph de Curva Spina , and tha ancient Seat of those who were the possessors of it was at Comport or Comford Parke in this Parish ; but before the End of Henry the second , the above mentioned Family was worn out , and then I find a Family called Crescie to succeed in the Inheritance , William de Crescie had a grant of Liberties in Birling in the fifth year of King John , but his Name and Family after this did not long continue to possess them , for before the Expiration of the long and tempestuous Reign of Henry the third , it was departed from them , and planted in th Revenue which did call that Family of Say Proprietaries ; the first of whom was William de Say , who was one of those who stuck so close to the Cause and Quarrel of Simon de Montfort the active Earl of Leicester , after whose Ruine at the Battle of Evesham , and the total Discomfiture and Dissipation of of his Forces in that signal Conflict , he was found in the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen who were pardoned by the pacification at Kenelworth , and died possest of it in the twenty third year of Edw. the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 48. and in some old Deeds it is called Caput Baroniae de Say ; now the vulgar opinion was formerly that that thirteen Knights Fees and a half made up a Tenure per Baroniam now how much in value a Knights Fee was , was the Question in elder Times , some affirming it to be 50 l. others 30 l. and diverse again but 25 l. but the common received opinion is which hath been generally allowed of by all our Law Books , that it is in Estimate but 20 l. consisting of eight Carucates or Hides of Land for they are coincident allowing to every Carucate or Ploughed Land an 100. Acres , which was anciently thought to be as much as one team of Oxen could plough up in a year ; but the Tenure it self which was compounded of these Knights Fees was altogether incertain , for unless it be that Manscript stiled Modus Tenendi Parliamentum , which is of no higher Age then the Reign of Edward the third , there is no Record does state or fix it , Walter de Meduana or Mayney Ancestor to the Mayneys of Linton held twenty Knights Fees as appears by the Red Book kept in the Exchequer , Folio 84 , yet was not under the Repute of a Baron , Walter de Wahull had the possession of 30. Knights Fees , and John de Port of 50. yet neither of them out of so vast a Tenure could multiply or inforce to themselves the Stile or Title of Baron , whereas on the contrary Roger de Leybourn , who marryed the Coheir of Vipont , and was really a Baron , makes a recognisance of his Service , as appears by Kirkbies Inquest kept in the Exchequer , and taken in the ninth year of Edward the first , but for two Knights Fees and an half ; from all which recited passages is evinced that this Title of Baronage flowed only from the Favour and Indulgence of the Prince , who by his Writ or Summons called those who had merited well by some worthy undertakings to this Dignity and Title , and not from the vastness of their Patrimony , though this did very much concurre afterwards to support their Baronage in its true Value and Lustre . But to proceed , Jeffrey de Say this Mans Successor had view of Franck Pledge here in the eighth year of Edward the third , that is , as appears by the Statute of Frank Pledge made in the eighteenth year of Edward the second , he was to take Cognisance of those Disorders and Excesses in his Court Baron that were committed by those which held in Free-Soccage of his Mannor of Berling , as well as of those which held in Knights Service or Villen age ; and this Jeffrey in the thirty third year of Edward the third dyed possest of this place , Rot. Esc . Num. 37. and left it to his Son William de Say , who likewise was in the Tenure of it at his Death , which happened in the forty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. Parte secunda , and transmitted it to his Son John de Say , who likewise held it at his Decease , which was in the sixth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 67. and from him did it devolve by descent to his Son and Heir Jeffrey Lord Say , who about the latter end of Richard the second alienated his Interest here by Sale to Richard Fitzallan Earl of Arundell , Lord Treasurer and Lord high Admirall of England ; from whom it came over to his Son Thomas Fitzallan Earl of Arundell , and Lord Treasurer of England likewise , who dying in the year 1416. without Issue , Joan one of his Sisters matched to William Beauchampe , summoned to Parliament , as Baron of Aburgavenny , in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , became his Coheir , and so he by this Alliance was acknowledged for Lord of the Fee , but his Son Richard Beauchampe created Earl of Worcester in the year 1420 , dying without Issue male in the ninth year of Henry the fifth , Elizabeth his sole Daughter and Heir by matching with Edward Nevill , who in her Right became Baron of Aburgavenny , annexed Birling and Comfort Parke to his Revenue , and he dyed possest of it in the sixteenth year of Edward the fourth , and from him did it descend to his great Grandchild Henry Lord Aburgavenny , who in the twenty ninth of Queen Elizabeth dying without Issue male , gave it to his Kinsman Sir Edward Nevill afterwards Baron of Aburgavenny , whose Grandchild John Nevill Lord Aburgavenny possesses now the Signory of it .

Bobbing in the Hundred of Milton was the ancient Seat of the illustrious Family of Savage , Roger de Savage obtained a Charter of Free Warren to his Lands at Bobbing Milsted , and elsewhere in the fifth year of Edward the second , his Father Sir John de Savage , was engaged with Edward the first , at the remarkable Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland ; in the twenty eighth year of his Reign , and there for his Signal Service , was with Thomas Savage his Brother created Knight Banneret ; Sir Arnold Savage this mans Grandchild was Sheriff of Kent the fourth and ninth years of Richard the second , and was afterwards Speaker of the Parliament , in the second year of Henry the fourth , as appears by the late printed Abridgement of the Parliament Rolls preserved in the Tower , and was one of the Privie Counsell to that Prince , as appears by the private Evidences of this Family , his Daughter Eleanor was first matched to Sir Reginald Cobham , by whom she had no Issue , and after was remarried to William Clifford Esquire , Son of Sir Lewis Clifford Knight of the Garter , descended from Clifford of Cliffords Castle in Herefordshire ; who upon the Decease of his Wifes only Brother , this Sir Arnold Savage without Issue in her Right , as Heir Generall entered upon his Estate here at Bobbing , and was Sheriff of Kent in the fourth year of Henry the fifth , and again in the thirteenth year of Henry the sixth , his Kinsman Robert Clifford Esquire , Brother to Richard Clifford , first Arch-Deacon of Canterbury , secondly Bishop of Worcester , and thirdly Bishop of London ; was Knight of the Shire for Kent , in the eighth year of Henry the fourth , and lyes buryed in the middle Isle in the Body of Christ Church in Canterbury though now his Portraicture in Copper with the Inscription affixed , with the many Coats declaring his Descent and Alliance , are torn off and defaced ; the above mentioned William had Issue , Lewis and John , Lewis had Issue Alexander Clifford Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent the fifth year of King Edward the fourth , and he had Issue Lewis Clifford Esq ; , who was likewise Sheriff of Kent the thirteenth of Henry the seventh , and from this Lewis was Henry Clifford lineally descended who almost in our Fathers Remembrance passed away his Interest here to Sir Coniers Clifford , and the Lady Mary his Wife Widow of Southwell , whom he had made joynt purchaser with him in the Conveyance , after whose Decease she was remarried to Sir Anthony St. Leger of Ireland , by whom she had Issue Sir Anthony St. Leger now of Wierton House in Boughton Montchentsey , who by a Right derived from a Donation of his Mother divided the Mannor of Bobbing with his two half Brothers Henry and Coniers Clifford , all whom not many years since by mutuall and joynt Consent alienated the whole demise to Sir Edward Duke of Cosington , and he not long after passed away his Right in it by . Sale to Sir Richard Gurney of London , from whom the same Vicissitude and Conveyance hath now brought it to be the Patrimony of his Brother in Law Captain Henry Samford Esquire .

Borden in the Hundred of Milton hath nothing memorable in it but the Mannor of Criolls and Poyles , for they were alwaies united together , and were parcell of that spreading Demeasne which fell under the Signory of Bertram de Crioll , and he dyed possest of them in the twenty third year of Edward the third , and left it to John Crioll his Son and Heir , who dying without Issue , Joan his Sister and Heir Generall brought this and much other Land to be possest by her Husband Sir Richard de Rokesley ; but he likewise deceasing without Issue , the same fatal Vicissitude brought it by Joan sole Daughter and Heir to be the Patrimony of Thomas de Poynings , in which Family the Title flowed with an uninterrupted Current untill it devolved to Sir Edward Poynings , who dyed in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , without Issue lawfully begotten , and as it appears by the last Inquisition taken after his Decease in the fourteenth year of that Prince , without any respective Kindred that could legally entitle themselves to his Estate , so this Mannor escheated to the Crown , and was granted by the abovesaid Prince to Sir Thomas Wiat , who lost it again upon his attainder in the second year of Queen Mary , but was restored again by Queen Elizabeth in the twenty fifth year of her Reign to his Son George Wiat Esquire only for life , for the Reversion thereof was by King James , by his Letters Patents bearing Date the fifteenth Day of June in the sixteenth year of his Reign , granted to Thomas Hooker and Jo. Spencer Gentlemen , who joyn after in a fine and settle it on the Heirs of Mr. George Wiat , in the second year of King Charles Sir Francis Wiat was found to be his Heir , who with his Ladies Consent , Dame Margaret Wiat did by good and sufficient Assurance in Law not many yeers since convey it to Isaac Seward Gentleman .

Sutton Barne is a little Mannor in this Parish remarkable only in this , that Roger de Savage Son of Sir John Savage , obtained a Charter of Free Warren to it in the fifth year of Edward the second ; and continued with the Name untill the Heir Generall carried it away with Bobbing to Clifford , in which Family it remained untill the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away to Platt , Ancestor to Mr ....... Plat of Borden , who now enjoys the Inheritance of it .

Bonnington in the Hundred of Street did anciently appertain to the Knights Templars , and being found in the Register of their Demeasne at their total Suppression , which was in the second year of Edward the second , it was in the seventeenth year of that Princes Rule by a new Provision made by Act of Parliament , setled on the Knights Hospitallers , or of St. Johns of Jerusalem , and so lay enwrapped in their Patrimony which was wide and spacious in this Track , untill the Reign of Henry the eighth , and then by the Suppression of this Order it was made parcell of the Royall Revenue , untill the abovesaid Prince in the thirty fifth year of his Government granted it to Sir Thomas Moile , and he not long after conveyed it by Sale to Sir James Hales of the Dungeon neer Canterbury , from whom it devolved by successive Right to his Successor Sir James Hales , who almost in our Memory alienated his Interest in it to Sir William Man of Canterbury .

Singleton is another Mannor in Bonington , which was the Inheritance of a Family which anciently extracted its Sirname from the abovesaid Parish , and was called Bonington , of which Family was Ni. de Bonington who paid respective Aid for this Mannor at making the Black Prince Knight ; after this Family was extinguished , which was about the Beginning of Richard the second , the Breslands , a Family who were Owners of a plentifull Estate in East Kent , were entituled by Purchase to the Possession of this Mannor , and continued in the Tenure of it untill about the latter end of Henry the fourth , and then it passed away ( as appears by some ancient Court Rolls to Cobbe , whose Arms , viz. Argent a Cheveron between three Cocks Gules ( if not assaulted by the barrous rudenesle of these Times ) stand in old coloured Class both in the Churches of Bonington and Limne . But to proceed , Singleton had for several Generations and Ages been folded up in that Demeasne which related to this Family , it was carried down by the Vicissitude of Time to Edward Cobbe Esquire , who about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth deceased without Issue male , and so both this Place and Cobbs place in Aldington , became the Inheritance of Sir John Norton of Northwood , by matching with Alice sole Daughter and Heit of the abovesaid Edward , and from him did it transmit it self by Descent to his Successor Sir Thomas Norton of Northwood , who dying without Issue male , Elizabeth his Female Inheritrix brought this to be parcell of that Estate which acknowledges the Signory of Sir James Hales now of the place or Court called the Dungeon neer Canterbury .

Brookland in the Hundred of Aloesbridge , anciently was wrapt up in the Patrimony of a noble Family called Passeley , whose Seat was at Thevegate in Smeth , Edmund de Passeley is the first whom in publick Record I discover to have been possest of it , as appears by an Inquisition taken after his Decease in the nineteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 57. but the aboad of this Family at this Place was no longer then untill the end of Henry the fourth , and then it was by John Passeley alienated to the Lord Cobham of Sterborough , and here was the Tenure and Title more transient and volatile then in the former Family , for Thomas Lord Cobham of Sterborough dyed in the eleventh year of Edward the fourth , and left it to his sole Daughter and Heir , Ann matched to Edward Borough , afterwards in her Right Lord Borough of Sterborough , and Lord of this Mannor ; and in this Family was it fixed , untill Thomas Lord Borough , Grandchild to the abovesaid Edward , about the middle of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away to Eversfield of Sussex , from whom by as quick a Transition it was alienated to Godfrey of Lidde , where after it had some small Time been setled , a Mutation like the former united it to the Propriety of Wood , and he about the Beginning of King James demised it by Sale to Mr. John Fagge , Grandfather to Mr. John Fagge Esquire , one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Sussex , who is the instant Lord of the Fee .

Brook in the Hundred of Chart and Longbridge , was given to the Priory of Christ Church by Charlemanus a Priest , which Donation was first ratified by the Charter of Henry the first , and secondly confirmed by that of Henry the second : In the Conquerours time you will find it thus represented , Rodbertus de Romeney tenet 1 Manerium de Brock , ad firmam de Cibo Monachorum , & pro 1 Sulling defendebat se , & nunc pro Dimidio , & valet 4 l. This upon the Surrender of the abovesaid Cloister , and its Revenue into the Hands of Henry the eighth , was enstated on the newly erected Dean and Chapter of Christ Church , and there was lodged untill this Age of Discomposure and Distraction , and now it is rent off .

Bromley gives Name to the whole Hundred where it is situated , and hath been many Ages part of the Demeasne of the Church , since it was given ( as appears by the Records of the Church of Rochester ) by John Later a Goldsmith of London to the Bishop of that Sea in the year of our Lord 1300.

There are two Seats within this Parish which were alwaies of temporall Interest , and pretend to a deep Antiquity ; The first is Sundridge , which formerly was the Patrimony of a noble Family called Blund , Peter le Blund was Constable of the Tower of London the thirty fourth of Henry the third , and Ralph le Blund his Grandchild paid respective Aid for his Lands at Bromley , which he there held by a whole Knights Fee of the Bishop of Rochester , in the twentieth of Edward the third ; and when this Name was entombed in a Female Heir , this Seat went with her to the Willoughbies , from whom the Earl of Lindsey is descended ; and when some years it had rested in this Family , by the Circumstance of Purchase , it became the Patrimony of Booth ; when this Name was likewise wound up in an Heir Generall , the Betenhams of Pluckley by matching with her , became Lords of this Manfion , and and continue still Proprietaries of it .

Simpsons is the second Seat of Account , though in Ages of a later Inscription it contracted that Name , yet anciently it was the Demeasne of Bankewell , a Family of Signall Repute in this Track , John de Bankewell had a Charter of Free Warren to his Lands in Bromley , in which this was involved in the thirty first of Edward the first , and Thomas de Bankewell dyed seised of it in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third , and when this Family was shrunk at this Place into a finall extinction ; the next who were eminent in the Possession of it , were the Clarks , and one William Clark that flourished here in the Reign of Henry the fifth , that he might not be obnoxious to the Statute of Kernellation , obtained Licence to erect a strong little Pile of ●ime and Stone , with an embattell'd Wall encircled with a deep Moat , which is supplyed and nourished with a living Spring ; but this mans posterity did not long enjoy it , for about the latter end of Henry the sixth , John Simpson dwelt here by right of Purchase , and he having much improved the ancient Fabrick , setled his Name upon it , and indeed that is all that 's left to Evidence they were once Owners of it , for in an Age or two after this , it was conveyed to Mr. John Stiles of Bekenham Esquire , from whom descends Sir Humphrey Stiles Knight and Baronet , Cupbearer to the late K. Charles , and him does Simpsons confesse for its instant Owner .

There is a Well in the Bishops Park , called St. Blases Well , which anciently had an Oratory annexed to it , dedicated to St. Blasius , which was much frequented at Whitsontide , because Lucas who was Legat for Sixtus the fourth here in England , granted an indulgent remission of forty Days injoyned Pennance , to all those who should visit this Chappell , and offer up their Orizons there , in the three Holy-days at Pentecost

Boughton Montchensey is placed in the Hundred of Twyford , and hath that Addition annexed to it , to signifie to us that it was once the Possession of the Family of Montchensey whose principall Seat was at Swanscamp , where I shall treat more largely of them , but though originally they held this Place , yet it was not long a Branch of their Demeasne , for about the Beginning of Henry the third , they had deserted the Possession , and surrendred it up to Hougham of Hougham by Dover , and Robert de Hougham dyed possest of it in the forty first year of Henry the third , and had Issue Robert de Hougham , after whose Death the Spindle prevailed against the Spear , for he concluding in Daughters and Coheirs , Bennet one of them was matched to John de Shelving , and he by a Right derived from her , was invested in the Possession , and dyed seised of it in the fourth year of Edward the third , and so did his Widow in the twenty second year of that Prince , and with them the Name of Shelving expired in a Daughter and Heir called Helen , who was affianced to John de Bourn , and so he in her Right became entituled to the Signory of this Mannor ; but before the end of Richard the second , this Family found likewise its Tomb in a Female Inheritrix , who was married to Haut of Hauts Place in Petham , and Edward Haut held this Mannor in the eighth year of Henry the fourth , as appears by the Pipe Roll relating to that Time ; but after this it was not long united to their Inheritance , for about the latter end of Henry the sixth , by an old Court Roll I find it in the Tenure of Reginald Peckham Esquire , and Katharine Peckham Widow of James Peckham his Son held it at her Death , which was in the seventh year of Henry the seventh , and after her , Thomas Peckham Esquire her Descendant enjoyed it at his Decease , which was in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and left it to his Son Reginald Peckham Esquire , who about the latter end of the above mentioned Prince passed it away to Sir Thomas Wiat , and he not long after alienated it to Robert Rudston Esquire , who having been entangled in the unsuccesful Design of that Knight , forfeited it to the Crown , but was reinvested again in it by a new Concession in the second year of Queen Mary , and much improved the ancient Structure with the increase of Building , in the years 1567 and 1576 , and left it to his Son and Heir Belknap Rudston Esquire , who by his last Will and Testament setled it on his Kinsman Sir Francis Barnham in the year 1613 , from whom it is now descended to that worthy person Mr. Robert Barnham Esquire his Son and Heir .

Wierton House is a second place to be considered of in this Parish , it borrows its Sirname from Adam de Wierton , who as appears by old Deeds which by the Antiquity of their Character seem to commence from the Reign of King Henry the third , was Possessor of this place , and having inocculated his own Name upon it , it sprouted out , not in loose Suckers and Excrescencies , but in those who were by lineal Descent from him justly and successively entituled to the Propriety of this Mannor ; untill the latter end of Richard the second , and then it was by Sale transmitted to Robert Purse , and there is one of this Name ; but whether this Man or his Son I am incertain who was Lord of Wierton House who lyes buryed in Boughton Church in the North Isle , with this Inscription on a Plate of Brasse affixed to the Wall , Hic jacet Robertus Purse qui obiit 145 ▪ & bona multa huic contulit Ecclesiae ; that is , he built the Belfrey and the North Isle , and those are the good Works registred in his Epitaph ; and over his place of Sepulture , his Portraicture in painted Glass was preserved entire untill the eruption of the late intestine War , and then the tempestuous and ill managed , or rather overheated Zeal of these Times , which like an overheated Brain still concludes in Madnesse , disordered it into a Heap of Ruines ; after this mans Exit , I do not find it acknowledged this Family long , for Robert Purse this mans Son , alienated it to Richard Norton , and his Wife Margaret Norton lyes enterr'd within that Seat which belongs to Wierton House , as the Date on her Tombstone instructs me , in the year 1470 , and in this Family did the Title for many Generations inhabit untill that Age which fell under our Cognisance , and then it was demised by Sale to Sir Anthony St. Leger of Ireland , who still is the Proprietary of it .

Holbrook is the last Place to be taken Notice of in this Parish , it was anciently involved in the Demeasne of a Family which in ancient Deeds and Court Rolls were written Halbroke , and bore , as is evident in old Registers and Armorials , Azure A plain Crosse between four Mullets Or , Frettee of the first , and having continued here many Descents , about the Beginning of Henry the fifth languished away , and then the Propriety of this place came to confesse the Signory of Haut of Hautsbourn , and dwelt in their Patrimony untill Sir William Haut determined about the latter end of Henry the eighth in two Female Coheirs , whereof Joan was matched to Sir Thomas Wiat , and he in her Right was enstated in the Inheritance of this place , and about the latter end of Edward the sixth , the Contract being fortified with his Ladyes consent , passed it away to Smith , Ancestor to Mr. ....... Smith , who still possesses it as part of his Inheritance .

Boughton Alulph or Aluff in the Hundred of Wye , had this appellative Distinction united to its Name , to intimate to us , that in the Saxons Time it owned the Jurisdiction of one Alulphus a Saxon , into whose Name to derive his Memory down to us , it hath been ever since adopted ; But in the Ages after the Conquest , it was wrapped up in the Estate of the ancient Family of Burgherst , now vulgarly called Burwash , Robert d● Burgherst is the first who is brought on the Stage by publick Record and presented to our Remembrance , and he held it at his Death , which was in the thirty third year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 41. and is amongst the Register of those who accompanied that Triumphant and Succesfull Prince in his fotunate Expedition against the Scots , and he left it to his Son Stephen de Burgherst , who in the second year of Edward the second obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Boughton Aluff , and in the third year of that Prince , paid his Debt to Nature ; from whom it descended to his Son Stephen de Burwash who had a Renovation of the former Charter of Free-warren confirmed to this Mannor in the first year of Ed. the third , his Son and Heirwas Bartholomew Lord Burgherst , who had a Charter of Free-warren confirmed to all his Lands , in which this was involved in the twelfth and sixteenth years of Edward the third , and was certainly a Person of much Eminence in those Times , for he is recorded by Daniell in his Chronicle to have been one of those , to whom the abovesaid Prince committed the Conduct of his Army at the Battle of Crescy , and was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , as appears amongst the Summons of that Age , he deceased in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third , his Heir apparent was Bartholomew Lord Burgherst , who was Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Household , and was frequently summoned to sit as a Peere of the Realm by Edw. the third , as it appears Registered in the late printed Abridgement of the Records of the Tower ; and he in the forty third year of Edward the third passed away this Mannor and much other Land to Walter de Pavely ; in Paveley the Possession was resident but untill the Beginning of Richard the second , and then it was conveyed to Trivet ; but here it was of no long fixed continuance neither , for Sir Thomas Trivet about the fifteenth year of the abovesaid Prince passed it away to Lewis Clifford , from whom it descended to his Successor , Lewis Clifford Esquire , who in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth , by a Fine then levied , transplanted his right in it into William Wenlock , and he not long after transmitted it by Sale to Richard Beauchampe Baron of Aburgavenny , whose Son Richard Baron Aburgavenny concluded in Elizabeth Beauchampe his Sole Heir , who was matched to Edward Nevil in her Right Lord of this Mannor , whose Descendants constantly remained invested in the Inheritance untill the latter End of Henry the eighth , and then it was alienated to Sir Thomas Moile , and he dying without Issue Male , Katharine his Daughter and Coheir fastned it to the Demeasn of her Husband Sir Thomas Finch , where it hath ever since remained so constant , and permanent , that it now confesses the Signory of the right honourable Heneage Finch the instant Earl of Winchelsey .

Seaton , Ulley , and Potbery , are three little Mannors lying within the Verge of this Parish , the first of which held in grand Serjeantie of the Crown , with this respective Service to be performed by the Lord of the Fee , Esse vantrarius Regius quando Rex iverit in Vasconiam , donec per usus fuerit pari Solutarum pretio 4 d. which wiser Heads , who pretend to unravell the Intrigues and Criticisms of Law Latin interpret thus , to be the Kings fore Footman , when he shall go into Gasconie , untill he hath worn out a pair of Shoes , which cost 4 d. All these Mannors were wrapped up in the Demeasn of Crioll , and Bertram de Crioll died seised of them in the twenty third year of Edward the first , whose onely Daughter Joan being matched to Richard de Rokesley , called in some old Records Sir Richard , upon the Death of her Brother John de Crioll without Issue , entituled her Husband to that large Patrimony which called her Father Proprietary ; but he dying without Issue Male , Joan his Sole Heir wedded to Thomas de Poynings , knit together the Demeasn of Crioll and Rokesley , and cast it into his Possession ; and here it made its abode untill the eleventh year of Richard the second , and then the Title of these Mannors came by Eleanor the general Inheritrix of Poynings , to submit to the Dominion of Henry Earl of Northumberland , and his Successor Henry Earl of the same place alienated them in the twenty third of Henry the eighth to Sir Thomas Cheyney , William Walsingham , and William Fitz Williams , and they conveyed them to Sir Christopher Hales , and his Son Sir James sold them to Sir Thomas Moile , by whose Coheir they devolved to Sir Thomas Finch .

Buckwell in Boughton Alulph , was the Seat of a Family called Bekewell , as appears by an Inquisition taken after the Death of Henry de Bekewell , in the tenth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 72. by which he is found to have been then possest of it , and so was his Successor Henry Bekewell by a subsequent Inquisition taken in the seventeenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 97. After this Family was worn out , the Possession of this Place was united to the Inheritance of Wode , and here it remained fastned untill the thirty fourth year of Henry the sixth , and then Robert Wode passed it away by Sale to Mr. Walter Moile , Father to John Moile Esq ; who was Justice of the Peace for this County , in the Reign of Edward the fourth , and Henry the seventh ; and from whom Mr. Robert Moile is lineally branched out , who now enjoys this Mansion : And so much for the Seat it self . The Mannor which is now entwined with it , was for the principal part of it , the Inheritance of Burgherst or Burwash . Robert de Burgherst possest it at his Death , which was in the thirty third year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 41. From whom it devolved to his Successor Bartholomew Lord Burgherst Knight of the Garter , who in the forty third year of Edward the third , by a Deed of Feoffment , invests it in Sir Walter de Paveley Knight likewise of the Garter ; from Pavely it came over by Purchase to be the Possession of Sir Robert Belknap one of the Judges under Richard the second , who having disgusted the Duke of Glocester that Kings Uncle , and others of the Nobility , who were knit into a Junto , for Protection of the Peoples Liberties , against the Inroades of the Regal Prerogative , which peradventure that infortunate Person had endevoured to extend beyond its just Confines , was empeached of High Treason , convicted and banished into Ireland , in the tenth year of the above mentioned Prince , and his Estate for the most part confiscated , amongst which was his Land at Buckwell , which King Richard the second , in the twelfth year of his Rule , granted to the Dean and Canons of St. Stephens in Westminster , and I find one Semana de Tong to have held it in Lease of that Chapiter at her Death , which was in the second year of Henry the fifth , Rot. Esc . Num. 29. and so did Kimberly afterwards in the third year of Henry the sixth , Rot. Esc . Num. 33. After this Family was disseised , I find the Moiles to have held it as Lessees to that Covent , untill the general Dissolution in the Reign of King Henry the eighth , and then that Prince granted the Fee-Simple to John Moile Esquire , Son of Robert Moile Esquire , who as the Records of this Family restifie , was Justice of the Peace of this County , and one of the Esquires of the Body to that Prince , and from this John Moile is the Title by Hereditary Succession streamed into Mr. Robert Moile , who is the instant Lord of the Fee .

Barton is another Mannor , which partly is situated in Wye , and partly in Boughton Alulf , and had Owners of that Sirname , who were invested in the Possession until the twenty eighth year of Henry the sixth ; and then it was conveyed to Cardinal Kempe , who setled it on his newly instituted Colledge of Wye , in whose Revenue it lay folded up , untill upon the suppression it was surrendred into the Hands of Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his Government , and was not long after conveyed by Grant to Sir Thomas Moile , and he passed it away to his Brother Mr. Walter Moile , from whom it is now descended to his Successor , Mr. Robert Moile the Heir apparent of it .

Bocton under Bleane gives Name to the whole Hundred , wherein it is placed . It was one of those Mannors which anciently belonged to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ; but by whom it was given , because the Records of Christ Church in that particular are silent , I must , if you will look for its appraisment in the Time of the Conquerour , Doomsday Book will inform you . Bocton , ( says that Record ) est Manerium Archiepiscopi , & in Tempore Edwardi Regis defendebat se pro V. Sullings , & dimidio , & nunc similiter , & fuit appretiatum in Tempore Edwardi Regis X lb. Et Archiepiscopus habet inde C s. XV s. & III. Denarios de Gablo . Nunc autem valet XX lb. Sed tamen reddit XX. & V lb. de Firma , & Archiepiscopus habet suum Gablum ut supra .

Boughton or Bocton Court , is the first place of secular Interest which claims our Notice ; it formerly ( though now shrunk into a Mansion of mean Concernment ) did contribute both Seat and Sirname to a Family so called , and one John de Bocton , as I discover by Deeds held it in the Reign of Edw. the second , and Edward the third : In times more modern it is in Sir Jo. Rowths Evidences called Swayford , from the Swayfords who were next Possessors of the Fee ; those who succeeded the Inheritance were the Bingers , now called Bengers , from whom the Bengers of Hougham by Dover , are issued out , and after this Name had flourished here from the entrance into the Government of Henry the fifth , till towards the Reign of Henry the seventh it expired , and then the Hales were the successive Proprietaries , from whom by Sale the Right was wafted over to Wood , and from this Name did a Fatality resembling the former bring it down to Rowth , in Relation to whom Sir John Rowth is now entituled to the Fee-Simple of it .

Brinley in this Patish does celebrate the Memory of Sir Laurence de Brinley , who flourished here about the Reign of Edward the first ; and in this Family was it for a Series of some Descents resident , till one of them sold it to John Roper a younger Branch of the Ropers of St. Dunstans , in whose Posterity after the Title had been sometime planted , it was by a Daughter and Heir made the Inheritance of Aires ; and when this Family after some abode here determined in a Daughter and Heir , the same Female Right threw it into the Revenue of the Rowths descended from the Rowths of Darbyshire , from which Alliance Sir John Rowth claims at this instant the Possession .

Nash Court is a Seat of very reverend Antiquity , especially since for some Centuries of years it hath been ( as is apparent by their own private Evidences ) the Mansion of the Hawkins , a Family of deep Descent , and illustrious Account in this Track , but made more eminent by being the Cradle of that Learned Gentleman Sir Thomas Hawkins , who for his accurate Translation of Caussinus his holy Court from the French Original into English , and his other well polished Labours , cannot be decyphered or limned out to Posterity under too worthy an Attribute .

Colkins is the last place , though not of the least Account , which in this Parish is to be considered ; it was built by John Colkin originally a Citizen of Canterbury , and he at his Death , which was in the tenth of Edward the third , was in possession of it ; there are several of this Mans Posterity which lye entombed in Boughton with a Griffin Segreant , which was their Paternal Coat , affixed to the Front of the Gravestone , William Colkin and Agnes his Wife , are there enterr'd with this Inscription , Orate pro animâ Will . Colkin & Agnet . Ux. qui quidem obierunt , Anno Dom. 1460. and the rest is defaced ; this Mans Father John Colkin sleeps there with this Inscription annexed , to the Marble , Hic jacet Johannes Colkin qui obiito ctavo Die Aprilis , Anno Dom. 1405. But not long after the Decease of William Colkin abovesaid , did the Possession of this Seat continue permanent in this Family , for his Son John Colkin sold it to Henry Petit Father to Cirjacus or Sidrach Petit , who drew up a Survey of all the Mannors of Kent , which held by Knights Service of the Crown , in the twenty eigth year of Henry the eighth , from whom Mr. Petit the present Lord of Colkins does extract both his Descent and Title .

Dane Court in this Parish also cannot be passed by without some Inspection : In elder Times Sir Allan de Dane challenged the Signorie of it , and as he took his Sirname from it , so he had his Habitation here , in the Reign of Edward the third , and it continued a Mansion for his Descendants divers years after ; but in the Reign of Henry the fourth , I find the Foggs Lords of the Fee , the last of which that held it was Sir Jo. Fogge , who died possest of it , as appears by his Will , in the seventeenth year of Henry the seventh , and left it to his Son and Heir Sir Jo. Fogge , from which Family not many years after it came to own the Propriety of Petit of Colkins , in the Descendant of which Family the Interest of it is yet resident .

Tho. At Hurst here founded a Chappel in the eighth of Richard the second , and dedicated it to Saint Nicholas , which was for the use of Lazars and poor Leprous people , lodged in an Hospital not far distant of this Mans Foundation also .

Bourdfield or Boresfield in the Hundred of Eyhorn was formerly a Parish , and the remains of some part of the Stonework of the Church , as likewise the Bounds of the Church-yard are yet obvious , but since its decay it hath been incorporated into Oltringden , and is now looked upon as an Hamblet of that Parish . It was for many Descents the Patrimony of the Lords Cobham of Sterborough , and so continued untill Thomas Lord Cobham died in the eleventh year of Edward the fourth , and left one onely Daughter and Heir called Ann Cobham , who was matched with Edward Borough after in her Right as Heir General created Lord Borough of Sterborough , from whom this Mannor descended to his Grandchild Thomas Lord Borough , who in the twenty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it to John Pakenham , and he not long after alienated it to John Lewin Esquire , in which Family it remained untill our Remembrance , and then by the Heir General it was carried off to Rogers of the County of Somerset , and the like vicissitude hath by the Female Inheritrix of that Family brought it now to acknowledge Charles Cavendish Viscount Mansfield Heir apparent to William created Marquess Newcastle by the late King at Oxford .

Bishops-Bourn in the Hundred of Bredge and Petham , is called so because it was given by K. Kenulfus at the Request of Athelard Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to the Priory of Christ Church , in the year of Grace 789 , and in the Charter there is a Recital of one Aldhun a pious Citizen of Canterbury , who first bequeathed it to that Covent , and the Charter of Confirmation informs us that it was given to the Monks , ad Vestimentum corum , for a supply of Vesture . In the year 811. Arch-Bishop Ulfred exchanged Eastry of Bourn , with the Covent above mentioned , and in the Demeasne of that See it lay couched untill the latter end of Hen. the eighth , and then Tho. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury exchanged it for other Lands with Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury , who in the thirty fourth year of the abovesaid Prince conveyed it to Sir Anthony Aucher Ancestor to Sir Anthony Aucher Knight and Baronet , the instant Proprietary both of this and Hautsbourn , which next summons a Remembrance .

Hauts-bourn before it was enlarged with the Additional Appellation of Haut ; afforded both Seat and Sirname in elder Times to a Family of venerable Antiquity in these Parts ; John de Bourn lived here , and had a Charter , of Free-warren granted to it in the seventeenth year of Ed. the first ; but when this Name resolved into a Daughter and Heir , who was married to Shelving , this Mannor lost the Name of Bourn , and was called by Addition Shelving Bourn , and remained sometime under that Notion , untill a Vicissitude of the same Nature with the former , entombed this in a Female Inheritrix likewise , who being married to Edw. Haut , the first Addition was removed , and wrapped up in a second , for thenceforth in publick Records it was frequently stiled Hauts-bourn , and so continued under that Name and in that Family , untill Sir William Eaut about the latter end of Hen. the eighth , dying without Issue Male , this Family determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , one of whom called Elizab. being matched to Sir Thowas Colepeper of Bedgebury , brought Bourn to be the Inheritance of that Family , and he in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth , passed it away to Sir Anthony Aucher , descended from Aucherus the Saxon , who was of eminent Note at Newenden in this County , of whom more shall be spoken when I come to treat of that place .

Bursted is the last Place to be taken Notice of in this Parish , which in ancient Deeds is written Burghsted , and was the Inheritance of a Family of that Sirname , but the cheifest Honour which it acquired in times of a more modern Aspect , is , that for several Descents last past it hath constantly confessed it self to be part of the propriety and Patrimony of Denne , a Cadet of the Denns of Denne Hill .

Boxley in the Hundred of Maidston , had an Abby filled with Cistertian Monks , and founded by William de Iper of Flanders , advanced by King Stephen to be Earl of Kent in the year 1145 ; K. Richard the first , as the Register of this Abby denotes , was a great Benefactor to the Covent , who were originally transported hither from Clarevall in Burgundy ; upon the Suppression , the House with the Demeasne adjacent was in the thirty second of Henry the eighth , granted to Sir Thomas Wiat , Father to Sir Thomas Wiat , one of his Privy Counsel , a man of an unbroken though a calamitous Virtue , who thinking it a lesse stain to forfeit his Estate , then to debauch his Consience , stuck close to that Sacramental Covenant , by which he and the rest of the Councel had oblieged themselves to Henry the eighth , to preserve as much as in them lay his two Daughters Mary and Elizabeth from confederating with any forreign Alliance , and so engaged in that Design which over set him , and sunk him and his Patrimony into that Ruine ; we find him and it lost at present , for upon his Attainder , Queen Mary in the second year of her Reign , granted out his Estate as if it were by Retail to several sons , but this Mannor and some other small peices were given back to the Lady Joan Wiat his Widow , for the support of her self and Family ; and this is all which of that vast and wide Revenue of his , which lay scattered in this and other Counties is held by his Posterity at this Day .

Wevering in this Parish is a Mannor held by Knights Service , and Waretius de Shelving Son of John Shelving , and Hellen de Bourn Daughter and Heir of John de Bourn held it by this Tenure , to find a Horse for the Kings Army in Wales ; Cum uno Sacco & Brochiâ pro Esquilar ipsius Domini Regis , so it runs in the Latin Record taken in the third year of Edward the third ; after this mans Decease , John de Shelving was this mans Heir , and in his Right enjoyed this Mannor , though it was not wholly his till he married Benedicta Daughter and Coheir of Robert de Hougham , who likewise held some part of it , and then he transmitted it entire to his Son William Shelving , whose Sole Daughter and Heir being married to Edward Haut of Hauts Place in Petham , who was Sheriff of Kent in the eighth of Henry the fourth , this and an opulent Demeasne beside became interwoven with the Revenue of that Family ; and here the Possession seemed to be laid up till Sir William Haut of Hautsbourn , this mans great Grandchild dyed and left only two Coheirs , Joan matched to Sir Thomas Wiat , and Elizabeth married to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury , so wavering by this Alliance accrued to Sir Thomas Wiat , from whom in the twenty fourth year of Queen Mary it was by forfeiture torne away , but was in the twenty fourth year of Queen Elizabeth restored with the Mannor of Boxley to the Lady Joan Wiat , Widow of the abovesaid Sir Thomas , and her Son George Wiat for three Lifes ; the Reversion was sold by King Charles to Mr. Stephen Alcock who alienated the Fee Simple to Sir Francis Wiat.

Vinters is contained also in Boxley , it gave Seat and Sirname to as noble a Family and of as deep Antiquity as any in this Track ; Roger Vinter lived here , who was one of the Conservators of the Peace for the County of Kent in the eighteenth year of the Reign of Edward the third , he deceased in the forty seventh of the abovesaid Princes Government , and John Vinter was his Heir , who sold Vinter , to Fremingham in the tenth year of Henry the fourth , from whom it was conveyed by a Female Inheritrix to Isley of Sundrich , and here it rested till Sir Henry Isley being folded up in the same attempt with Sir Thomas Wiat , upon the blasting of that Designe forfeited his Interest in it to the Crown ; Queen Mary granted it to Cutts , who some years after devested himself of his right in it , and by Sale disposed of it to Sir Cavaliero Maycott , who suddenly alienated it to Covert , who transferred it by the like Devolution , about some five and twenty years since to Sir John Tufton Knight Baronet , whose second Son Sir Charles Tufton , upon the late Decease of his Brother Sir Benedict Tufton is the present Lord of the Fee .

I had almost forgot to mention , which certainly must much improve the Honour of this Place , that King Edward the second in the fifteenth year of his Reign lying at Boxley Abby granted the Charter to London , to elect yearly one of the City at their own pleasure to be their Maior .

Boughton Malherbe in the Hundred of Eyhorne , did very probably take its Denomination from a Family of that Sirname , who were of eminent Account in the County of Devon ; for I find Sir William de Malherbe was witnesse to a Deed of Reginald de Mohun , by which he gives much Land to the Abby of Axminster , as appears Pat. 14. Hen. tertii Memb. 33. parte prima . In the Reign of Henry the third , by several old Deeds I discover it to be marshalled in the List of those Lands which confessed Robert de Gatton Son of Robert de Gatton , ( who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the second year of King John ) to have been its Proprietarie , and he dyed possest of it in the forty eighth year of Henry the third , and left it to his Son Hamo de Gatton , in whom the male Line determined ; so that this Mannor upon the Partition of his Inheritance , devolved by Elizabeth his Daughter and Coheir to be the Patrimony of William de Dene , who obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands here , in the renth year of Edward the second ; but he not long after enjoyed the Benefit of this priviledge , for he conveyed it to Robert Corbie , who in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third had Licence by this Princes Grant to build after a fortified Mannor , the Terms are Kernellare & Turrellare , that is , to make Cranies and Loopholes to discharge Crossebows and other missile Weapons , and to embattel with Towers and Curtain Walls the Mannor House at Boughton ; from him it descended to Robert Corby his Son and Heir , who dyed and left only one Daughter and Heir Joan marryed to Sir Nicholas Wotton twice Lord Maior of London ; and so by Female Right this Mannor became the Possession of this Family , and in a continued Series was it carryed down from Sir Nicholas , to Thomas Lord Wotton not many years since deceased , whose Lady Dowager Mary Daughter and one of the Coheirs of Sir Arthur Throgmorton of Paulers Perry in the County of North-Hampton , as parcel of her Joynture , did lately before her Decease enjoy it .

Colbridge Castle lay in Boughton Malherbe , under the Hill towards Headcorne , and hath found a Sepulcher now under its own Rubbish ; King Henry the third in the forty third of his Reign granted Licence by his Charter to Sir Fulke Peyforer , to fortifie and build after a Castle-like Manno this Mansion House at Colbrge ; it came after to be the Possession of Roger Lord Leybourne , and from him did descend to Juliana Leybourne , his Sole Heir , who matching with William Clinton Earl of Huntington made it his Inheritance ; but he deceasing in the twenty eighth of Edward the third without Issue , and his Lady after dying and leaving no visibleor avowed Alliance , knit to her by the indisputable tye of Consanguinity to claim it , it escheated to the Crown , and K. Richard the second in the twenty first of his Reign granted it to the Royal Chappel of St. Stevens in Westminster , where it remained till the Dissolution , and then it was granted in the second year of Edward the sixth to Sir Edward Wotton , from whom by a successive Right of Descent it was transmitted to his great Grandchild Thomas Lord Wotton of Marley , whose Widow the Lady Mary Wotton does at this instant possess it .

Lastly , Chilston is an eminent Seat and Mannor likewise situated within the Precincts of this Parish : In the fifty fifth year of Henry the third , Henry Hussey had a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannor of Chilston , and his Grandchild Henry Hussey died seised of it in the sixth year of Edward the third , and in this Family was the Inheritance in an undivided Succession resident till our Grandfathers Memory , and then Henry Hussey by Sale translated the Proprietie into John Parkhurst , whose Successor Sir William Parkhurst alienated it to Richard Northwood , whose Son Mr. Oliver Northwood by the same transmission passed it over to Cieggat ; he very lately disposed of his Concernment in it to Mr. Manly of London , who very lately hath conveyed it to Mr. Edward Hales , Grandchild to Sir Edward Hales of Tunstal Knight and Baronet .

Buckland in the Hundred of Feversham , was ( as Sidrach Petits Inquest into the Mannors of Kent informs me ) as high as the Reign of Henry the third , the Possession of John de Buckland , who it seems extracted his Sirname from hence , and is likewise mentioned in Testa de Nevil to have held Land in this Track in the twentieth year of Henry the third : But before the end of Edward the second , this Family was vanished from this place , and immediately after they were gone out , the Frogenhalls of Frogenhall in Tenham , were entituled to the Possession , and Richard Frogenhall was seised of it at his Decease , which was in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 37. and from him did it descend to John Frogenhall Esquire , who was with Edmund Brook Lord Cobham , then Ceneral of the Kentish Forces under Richard Earl of Warwick , at the Battle of North-Hampton , where the House of Lancaster by that vigorous Assistance the Kentish men that day afforded the House of York , received so fatal a Wound , that all the Art of the Lancastian Partisans , could hardly ever after close it ; and this Man had Issue Thomas Frogenhall , who about the Beginning of Henry the seventh , passed it away to Gedding ; and Thomas Gedding , in the twenty fifth year of Henry the eighth , held this Mannor , and conveyed it by Deed to Henry Atsea of Herne ; and he in the thirtieth of Henry the eighth was possest of it at his Death , and from him did the Thread of Descent guide the Title down to his Grandchild William Atsea , who in the tenth year of King James conveyed it by Sale to ....... Saker of Feversham Gentleman , whose Son Mr. Christopher Saker in our Fathers Memory alienated it to Sir Basill Dixwell of Terlingham in Folkstone Knight and Baronet , who upon his Decease about the year 1641 , gave it to his Kinsman Mr. John Dixwell Esquire , in whom the Possession is still resident .

Buckland by Dover is situated in the Hundred of Bewsborough , and was a Branch of that spacious and wide Demeasn which made the Patrimony of Hamon de Crevequer so considerable in this County , and he held it at his Decease , which was in the forty seventh year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 33. Afterwards I find the Wilghebies or Willoughbies invested in the Possession , and Thomas de Willoughbie was seised of it at his Decease , which was in the seventh year of Edward the second : But the Title had no long residence in this Family , for in the Reign of Edward the third , I find it in the Tenure of Barrie of Sevington ; for Agnes Wife of William Barrie was possest of it in Right of Dower , as appears by an Inquisition taken after her Death in the forty eighth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 7. After the Barries were worn out , the Callards or Calwards , now vulgarly called Collard , became Lords of the Fee , a Family of deep Extraction in this Track , and who were in elder Times entituled to the Possession of Land and Houses in Canterbury , as appears by a Composition made between the Monks of St. Austins and those of Christ Church , in the forty first of Edward the third , recited by Mr. Somner in his Survey of that City , Pag. 192. wherein it is mentioned that the Abby of St. Austins had purchased Land and Houses of Iohn Calward . But to proceed , after this Family had for divers Descents held this Mannor in a fair repute , ( John Callard Esquire , being one of those who accompanied Sir Henry Guldford of this County to serve Ferdinand of Castile in his War commenced against the Moors , where for some Signal Service performed against those Infidels , he had this Coat assigned to him and his Posterity , by Clarenceux Benolt , vid. Girony of six pieces Or & Sables over all three Blackmores Heads decouped ) in our Fathers Memory they surrendred the Possession of this place by Sale to Fogge , who not many years after passed away his Concernment in it , by the same conveyance to Mr. William Sherman of Croyden Esquire , Steward both to George Abbot and William Laud Successively Arch-Bishops of Canterbury .

Dudmanscombe is another Mannor in this Parish , which in elder times made up the Revenue of the Priorie of St. Martins in Dover , and continued annexed to that Cloister until the general Suppression , and then being torn from the Church , it was again exchanged with Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth of his Reign , and so remained wound up in the Demeasn of that Sea , untill that ruinous and fatal popular Tempest which arose in these Times supplanted it , and cast it into the Possession of a secular Interest .

Burham in the Hundred of Lark field is in Doomsday Book written Burgham , and was in the twentieth year of William the Conquerour held by Ralph de Curva Spina . In Ages of a lower Approach to us , I find it under the Signorie of Jeffrey de Say , and he died possest of it in the twenty third year of Edward the first . Rot. Esc . Num. 48. and for the future remained so chained to the Propriety of this Family , that it was esteemed Parcel of their Barony of Birling , and when Jeffrey Lord Say in the Reign of Richard the second ended in two Female Coheirs , one matched to John Lord Clinton , and the other called Joan , wedded to Sir William Fiennes , this upon the Division of the Estate accrued to Fiennes , and coming again by the Heir General of Fiennes Lord Dacres to be possest by Leonard , William Leonard Son and Heir of Fiennes Leonard , a younger Branch of that House , hath lately passed it away to Mr. Francis Barnham , and Mr. Edward Maplesden .

There was in old Time a Fountain within the Limits of this Parish at a place called Haly-Garden , venerable it was , and of no small Account amonst the People , who for the sanctitie they conceived was in it , ascribed divine Attributes unto it , as the Name imports for what we call Holy , our Ancestors long time since styled Halyg , as Halyfax in York-shire , from holy Haire , that that the People devoutly esteemed , and frequently with blind credulity visited . In the seventeenth of K. Richard the second , the Friars Carmelites of Alresford obtained a Grant by Letters Patents to bring the Water from that Fountain in Haly-Garden to their Monastery in Alresford , to what purpose , they that will survey the Designs of the Monks of those Times , may easily discover .

Burmersh in the Hundred of Worth was a Member of that Patrimony , which in Times of a higher Calculation , related to the Abby of St. Augustines in Canterbury : and had here a Mansion called Abbots Court , which is an Adjunct to this Mannor , and had this Denomination imposed upon it , because the Abbot of that Covent used to sojourn here when he came to survey that Demeasn , which augmented the Revenue of that Abby , and lay spread into Romney Mersh . This Mannor upon the Surrender of the Patrimony of that Cloister into the Hands of Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his Reign , was in the thirty fifth of that Prince granted to William Finch Esquire , whose Successor Sir Thomas Finch Earl of Winchelsey not many years since passed it away to Sir Ralph Whitfield Serjeant at Law , whose Son and Heir Sir Herbert Whitfield is now Lord of the Fee .

C. C. C.

CAnterbury hath so exactly in all the Parts and Limbs of it been described and surveyed by Mr. Somner , that I should exceedingly eclipse the Labours of so inductrious a Pen , if I should go about to Pourtray that in any contracted Landskip , which hath been before represented to the Publick , pencilled out in so large and exquisite a Volume : Onely some few things are there omitted , which in this Search I shall take notice of , and so proceed .

The Augustine Friars , or Convent of Black Canons in Canterbury , was founded by Thomas de Bonington , Pat. 17. Edw. secundi , Memb. 18. Parte secunda .

The Prior of the Trinity in Canterbury was accustomed to receive two pence upon every Vessel of Wine coming into the Port of Sandwich , Rot. Claus . Hen. tertii Memb. 17.

Baldwin de Wereval had a Charter in the second year of K. John for the Aldermanry of Westgate in Canterbury .

Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent had the Castles of Canterbury , Dover , and Rochester granted to his Custody , Carta 12. Hen. tertii .

King Henry the third in the sixteenth year of his Reign at Canterbury took the Fealty of the Knights and Free Tenants of Kent , as likewise of the Barons of the Cinque Ports , K. Henry the third in the forty eighth of his Reign grants a Pardon for Life to Francis de Balsham , for that She was hanged for Felony at Canterbury from nine of the Clock on the Munday till the rising of the Sun next Day , and yet escaped with Life , Pat. 48. Membra 24. I should not have mentioned this , but that an Accident proportionate to this in all the Circumstances of it , happened to one Ann Green , who not many years since being hanged at Oxford for the supposed Murder of her Child , miraculously escaped with Life .

King Edward the first Landed at Dover 1274 , and restored divers Liberties to Canterbury , which before were seised into the Hands of the Crown , Pat. 4. Edw. 1.

There was a Chauntry founded in St. Dunstans Church by John Roper for two Priests to celebrate at the Altar of St. Nicholas in that Church , Pat. 4. Hen. 4. Parte prima , Memb. 29.

There was another Chauntry mentioned by Mr. Somner , founded by William Brenchley Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , for one Priest to celebrate at the Altar of St. John Baptist in Christ Church , for the support of which he gives one House in St. Elphage Parish , and ten pound Rent issuing yearly out of his Lands at Bilsington , Pat. 25. Hen. 6. pars 1. Memb. 15.

The Mannor of Dodindale had originally owners of that Name , for as Mr. Somner in his Survey of Canterbury out of the Records of St. Augustins instructs us , Haymo the Son of Guido de Dodindale , gave the Tithes of Dodindale to the Priory of St. Augustins : But it seems it was but for certain years , for in the Reign of Henry the second ( as the same Records testifie ) Robert de Marci gave the Tithes of this place , to the Hospital of St. Laurence ; so far he in that laborious Peice of his hath exhibited to the publick view who were its ancient Possessors when it bore the Name of Dodindale ; now out of the private Evidences it must be my Task who were its Proprietaries since it carried the Name of Morton ; By a Deed without date Elias de Morton ( from whom it assumed the Name of Morton , which hath clove to it ever since ) demises the Fee-simple of it to Hugh Fitzvinon , a Family which had large possessions at Selling by Monks Horton , whose Daughter Eugenia Fitzvinon passes it away by Deed to Nicholas de Twitham in the twentyeth year of Henry the third , and he immediately after by a Deed not bounded with any date , settles it in Robert de Polre ; but whether his Successor sold it to J. Chich or not , is incertain , because there is a vacancy or gap in in the private Evidences , though the Records of St. Augustins make him to have some Interest in it in the year 1330. The next that I find to have been entituled to the possession were Hardres and Isaack ; who in the twenty second year of Henry the sixth conveyed it away to William Say for the use of Robert Rigdon , but it seems the title did not long fix here , for he in the thirty third year of the abovesaid Prince , transmits all his concernment in it by sale to William Barton and John Whete , and they by mutual consent in the eighteenth year of Edward the fourth alienate it to Edward Pargate , who transmitted it to his Son and Heir John Pargate , from whom descended Edward Pargate who in the twenty fifth year of Henry the eighth demises it to Peter Bruin ; and after the Title had many years united to this Family , Henry Bruin dying without Issue gave it to his Sister Jane Bugge who in the first year of King James cast her Right by Sale into her Kinsman John Bruin , who in the fifth year of that Prince by the same alienation translated the Title into William Denne , who deceasing without Issue Male , Margaret his only Daughter and Heir brought it over to her husband Edw. Hougham , after whose death it is to devolve to two Daughters who are the surviving Issue of that Wife , namely Elizabeth matched to Mr. Edward Rose of Chistlet , and Ann wedded to Mr. John Betentham now of Canterbury .

The Dungeon is another Mannor in Canterbury , It was formerly belonging to an ancient Family called Chich ; Ernaldus de Chich was a man of principal note under Henry the second , Richard the first , and K. John , and the Aldermanry of Burgate in Canterbury did in elder times appertain to this Family ; Thoma . Chich was was Bailiff of Canterbury 1259. and again in the year 1271. was a principal Benefactor to the Church of S. Mary Bredin in Canterbury , whose Name in an old Character , together with his Effigies , are set up in the west Window , as his Coat is likewise in Stone-work in the Chancell ; John Chich was Bailiff of Canterbury in the twenty third , and again in the twenty sixth year of Edward the third , in the year 1320. Robert Malling then Commissary of Canterbury gave Sentence upon clear Evidence by ancient muniments and otherwise , that the Hospital of St. Laurence in Canterbury should not only receive the Tithes of the Mannor of the Dungeon , but likewise of 300. Acres adjacient to it , but this was not without the Tye or Tribute of some Remuneration , for in Autumne John Chich who was then Lord of the Dungeon , was to receive for his Servants five loaves of Bread , two Pitchers and an half of Beer , and half a Cheese of four pence ; and he himself was to receive unum par Cirocecarum ferinarum , one pair of Holyday Gloves , and one pound of Wax in Candles , and for his Servants three pair of Gloves ; Thomas Chich this mans Son was Sheriff of Kent in the forty fourth year of Edward the third , and held his Shrivealtie at the Dungeon , but in Valantine Chich this mans great Grandchild , not only the male line but likewise the possession of this place failed , for he about the beginning of Edward the fourth passed it away to Roger Brent Esq ; and he died seised of it ( as appears by his Will recorded at Canterbury ) in the year 1486. But in this Family it was not long after this resident , for in the beginning of Henry the eighth , by an old Court Roll I find one John Butler of Heronden in Eastrye possest of it , and he conveyed it to Sir John Hales Chief Baron of the Exchequer , and when Leland visited Kent , which was in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , he lived here , and from him is it now come down to his Successor Sir James Hales the instant Proprietarie of it .

The Moate , alias Wyke , is a third Mannor within the precincts of Canterbury , and had owners of that Sirname ; For I read in Testa de Nevill that Stephen de Wyke possest it in the twentyeth year of Henry the third , and paid respective Aid for it at the marriage of Isabel that Princes Sister ; and in the Book of Aid , where there is an Enumeration of the ancient owners , there is a Recital of Stephen de Wyke , William le Taylour , John Tancrey , and Richard Betts , who had an Interest in it ; but before the beginning of Richard the second , all these Families were mouldred away and vanished : For in that Kings Reign I find it by the Court Rolls of this place in the hands of Sir Richard de Hoo , and Richard Skippe , and they about the latter end of Richard the second by deed conveyed it to Simon Spencer , and he some few years after alienated it to John Standford Gentleman , who suddenly after Passed it away to Richard Smith , in whose hands it had not long continued , when the same Devolution brought it over to John Eastfield Esquire , Son of Sir William Eastfield who was Knight of the Bath , and Lord Maior of London in the year 1438. and from him it was by Sale carried off to William Rogers , and he by a Fine levied in the thirty third year of Henry the sixth demises and sells it to Philip Belknap of Canterbury Esquire , Maior of that City in the year 1458. and Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fourth year of Henry the sixth ; he married Elizabeth Daughter of John Woodhouse Esq ; by whom he had Issue Alice his only Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Henry Finch of Nitherfield Esq ; Father of Sir William Finch Banneret , who in his Mothers right was invested in the possession of the Mo●t , and from him is it now by Successive right devolved to the Right Honourable John Lord Finch , created Baron of Fordwich by the late K. Charles , when he was Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England .

St. Dunstans in Canterbury was the Ancient Seat of the noble Family of Roper , William Rosper or de Rubra Spathâ for so the Name is written in old Dateless Evidences , and Elnith his Wife the Daughter and Heir of Edward de Apuldore , flourished in the Reign of Henry the third , and were great Benefactors to the Priorie of Saint Martins in Dover , Iohn de Rubrâ Spathâ , or Rosper did eminent Service in Scotland under Edward the third , for which that Prince rewards him and William Clifford ( as appears by a Deed recorded in the Earl of Dorsets Pedigree ) about the twenty ninth year of his Reign , with the third part of those Forfeitures that were due from the Jews then inhabiting in London , for the Violation of some Penal Statutes enected against them . Edmund Son of Ralph Roper was an eminent Man in the Reign of Henry the fourth , and Henry the fifth , under whom he was Justice of the Peace for this County , and died the third year of Henry the sixth 1433 , and lies buried in this Church of St. Dunstans ; John Roper his Son , and John Westcliffe , as the Records of this Family instruct me , were Correctors and Surveyours of the Customes of the Cinque Ports in the ninteenth year of Henry the seventh : Jo. Roper his Grandchild was Attorney General to Henry the eighth , and Prothonotary of the Kings Bench , as appears by the Inscription on his Monument in St. Dunstans Church 1524 , and Will . Roper who was Sheriff of Kent the first and second year of Philip and Mary , and matched with Margaret Daughter of Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England , who ( as the Inscription on her Monument ) was Graecis Latinisque Literis Doctissima , succeeded his Father in the Office of Prothonotary of the Kings Bench , which he discharged with much of Fidelity and Care fifty four years , and left it to his Sor Thomas Roper Esquire 1577 , in which year he died ; and from this Thomas is this Mannor of St. Dunstans , which for so many Centuries of years hath constantly confessed the Signorie of this Name , now descended to his great Grandchild Mr. Edward Roper Esquire .

Capell in the Hundred of Folkstone was parcel of that Estate which celebrated the Family of Averenches to have been its Proprieraries , which continued no longer in the Name then the End of K. John ; for then William de Averenches dying without Issue Male , Matilda his onely Daughter and Heir brought Capell with the two little Mannors , Halton and Wolverton alias Wolton , to be possest by Hamon de Crevequer , called in the Language of those times , the great Lord of Kent ; from him they descended to his Son and Heir Hamon de Crevequer , who dying about the forty seventh year of Henry the third without Issue , his Estate in Kent and elsewhere was seised on by that Prince , as having died in Actual Arms against him , but was by the Act of Pacification made at Kenelworth in the fiftieth year of his Reign restored to his four Sisters , whereof one was espoused to John de Lenham , the second was matched first to Nicholas de Sandwich , and next to John de Segrave ; Matilda the third was wedded to Bertram de Crioll , and the fourth was married to William de Pateshull ; but upon the Division of the Estate , Capell , with its two Appendages Halton and Wolton , accrued to Crioll , by whose Daughter and Heir they came to Sir Richard de Rokesley , and then by Joan his Sole Inheritrix to Tho. de Peynings ; in which Family they remained untill the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and then Sir Edward Poynings dying without any lawfull Issue , they came by Mary his natural Daughter to Edward Lord Clinton , to whom they were by Grant confirmed in the thirtieth of that Princes Reign , and he in the second year of Q. Mary passed them away to Mr. Henry Herdson , whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson conveyed them to his Uncle Mr. John Herdson , and he dying without Issue , setled them on his Kinsman Sir Basil Dixwell Knight and Baronet , whose Kinsman Mr. Basill Divwell of Broome in Barham is now Proprietarie of them .

Caldham high mounted , is another Mannor in this Parish , which informs us , that in elder times a Family of that Denomination held it , which before the End of Richard the second had passed it away to Baker , a Family of good Account in this Track , who had a peculiar Chancel belonging to them in Folkstone Church near the Vestry Door over the Charnell House ; John Baker was Gentleman Porter of Callis under Henry the fifth and sixth , and dying without Issue male , Robert Brandred who had matched with one of his two Coheirs was planted in the Possession , and he about the latter end of Henry the sixth passed it away to Sir Thomas Brown , whose Grandchild Sir Matthew Brown exchanged it with Henry the eighth about the thirty sixth of his Reign , and he granted it away to William Wilford , John Bennet and George Brigges ; and they in the thirty seventh of his Government alienated their Right in this place to John Tufton Esquire , Ancestor to the right Honourable John Earl of Thanett , who still possesses the Signory of it .

Charlton in the Hundred of Blackheath , anciently written Ceopleton ; that is , the Town inhabited with honest , good , stout and usefull men for Tillage , and Country businesse ; It anciently belonged to William Fitz Oger , as Doomsday Book saith , and was after given to the Monastery of Bermondsey neer Southwarke , by Robert Bloett Bishop of Lincoln , Anno sexto Willielmi Secundi . King Henry the third gave the Prior of that House Liberty by his Charter in the fifty third year of his Reign to hold a Market there weekly , and a Fair once in every yeer , three days together , viz. upon the Eve , upon Trinity Sunday , and two days after ; the Market was held weekly upon the Monday , and was not long since ciscontinued ; but the Fair is not disused but kept yearly upon St. Lukes day , and called Horn Fair , by reason of the great plenty of all Sorts of Winding Hornes , and Cups , and other Vessels of Horn there brought to be sold . King James granted the Mannor to Sir Adam Newton Knight and Baronet , Tutor to Prince Henry ; who there hath built a goodly brave House , and left the Care with his Cost , to enlarge and beautify Gods House , the Parish Church , to Sir David Comingham Knight and Baronet , late Coforer to Prince Charles ; Mr. Newton his Brother , and Mr. Peter Newton Gentleman Usher to the late King Charles , who have most amply discharged that Trust , and in a manner new builded a great Part thereof , and erected the Steeple new from the Ground , and furnished it with a good Ring of Bells , decorating the same Church without and within so worthily that it surpasseth most in the Shire .

Kedbroke neer Charlton was formerly a Parish , but when the Church decayed , and the paucity of the Inhabitants could not support the Charge that was to maintain the same , they were by Composition annexed to Charlton ; it is of late become of better Note since it pleased King Charles to create Sir William Harvey Knight and Baronet , and Baron Harvey of Rosse in Ireland , a Peer of this Realm ; also by the Name of Baron Harvey of Kedbroke : it being part of his Ladies Inheritance , as being Daughter and one of the three Coheirs of Brian Annesley Esquire , who having it in Lease from the Crown , bought the Fee-simple of Edward Blunt of Wrickelmersh Esquire , to whom it was conveyed by his Father in Law , Sir William Garaway of London Knight , who had purchased it of King James in the Beginning of his Government ; to whose Royal Demeasne it had been fastned ever since the Suppression of the Priory of Bermondsey , ( in whose Patrimony it was involved ) in the Reign of Henry the eighth .

In the time of King Henry the sixth , Pat. 26. Hen. sexti Parte secunda Memb. 27. the Church of Kedbroke was appropriated to the Priory of St. Mary Overies in Southwarke , the Vicarage not endowed , but being shrunk into Decay and Solitude , the Inhabitants for many yeers last past have resorted for the performance of Divine Duties to the Parish Church of Charlton .

Chalke in the Hundred of Shamell , was parcel of that Demeasne which related to the Abby of Bermondsey , as appears by Kirkbies Inquest , a Book kept in the Exchequer , and collected in the ninth year of Edward the first , wherein that Cloister is represented to have had the Possession of this place at that Time ; and here it remained untill the generall Dissolution snatched it away in the Time of Henry the eighth , and that Prince afterwards devolved it to Sir George Brook , from whom it descended to his Great Grandchild Sir William Brook , who dying in the year 1643 without Issue male , it came over to his Kinsman Sir Jon Brook as Reversioner in Entail , and he some few years since passed it away to James Duke of Lenox lately deceased , whose Son Esme Stuart now Duke of Lenox , is the Heir Apparent of it .

Felborough Clam Lane and Rainhurst were a Limb of that wide Revenue which lay scattered and diffused over the face of all this Hundred , and acknowledged it self to be under the Signory of the Family of Cobham ; Henry de Cobham held them , as appears by Kirkbies Inquest , in the ninth year of Edward the first , and so did his Grandchild John de Cobham in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. Parte secunda . And in this Family and its Descendants did they settle , until the Reign of Henry the sixth , and then by an old Survey of Chalke , I find them in the Hands of Brent , and continued in their Possession until the eighth year of Henry the seventh , and then Jo. Brent Esq ; conveys them , as appears by a Fine levied in that year to Sir Henry Wiat , and his infortunate Grandchild Sir Thomas Wiat , having by an unsuccesseful Solleviation or Rising , forfeited them to the Crown in the second year of Queen Mary , they remained there until Queen Elizabeth in the thirty seventh of her Rule granted them in Lease to Sir Peter Manwood , who passed it to Menfield , and he to Mr. James Crispe , but the Fee-simple still remained lodged in the Royal Revenue , until the late King Charles passed it away to the City of London , in the year 1630 , and that City the same year they were granted , conveyed them to Mr. James Crispe , who upon his Departure disposed them by Testament to his two Sons Mr. Thomas Crispe and Mr. James Crispe .

Challock in the Hundred of Calehill hath two places in it , which may deservedly come within the Register of those Mannors which are in this Survey to be recorded : The first is Otterpley , which was an eminent Seat belonging to the ancient Family of Apulderfield . The first that I find of Note in any publick Record to have possest it , was Henry de Apulderfield , who had the Grant of a Market and Fayre to his Mannor of Apulderfield in Coldham , in the thirty eighth year of Hen. the third ; and this mans great Grandchild Henry de Apulderfield was Sheriff of Kent the fiftieth of Edward the third , and held his Shrievalty at Challock . His House was near East-well in the Earl of Winchelseys upper Park , called Apulderfields Garden , which is now so obscured in its own Ruins , that we now with Difficulty trace out its Sepulcher , made up of its own complicated Rubbish ; but this Mannor , as to some Proportion of it , was passed away before he was Sheriff , to Edmund de Hant , who held it at his Decease , which was in the forty fourth year of Edward the third ; but neither of these Families lasted longer then the Beginning of Richard the second ; for then I find it entirely invested in Richard Lord Poynings , who in the eleventh year of that Prince was possest of it at his Death , and left it to his Sole Heir , Eleanor matched to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland , in whose Successors the Right was constantly fixed , until the twenty third year of Henry the eighth , and then it was conveyed by Henry Earl of Northumberland , to Sir Thomas Cheyney , William Walsingham , and William Fitz-Williams , and they immediately after re-conveyed it to Sir Christopher Hales , and his Son Sir James Hales about the latter end of Henry the eighth alienated it to Sir Thomas Moile , by whose Daughter and Coheir Katharine , it came to be the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Finch , unhappily Shipwract by New-Haven in France , a Person who deserved a longer Life , and not so dark a Fate ; from whom by paternal Descent it is now transmitted to the right honourable Heneage Finch now Earl of Winchelsey .

Loringden and Deane are places in Challock worthy of Consideration . There is a Tradition very frequent amongst the Country people in this Track , that Loringden now altogether desolate and full of solitude , was once the Mansion of Gentlemen of this Name , one of which should have waged Combate with one of the Apulderfields of Otterpley not far distant , about building a Chappel in the Valley , which was pretended by Loringden to be erected on Land that was of his Fee-simple ; but because this without some more solid Foundation to support then Fame and Vulgar Report , will appear but legend , I will re-present to you what the original Muniments and Evidences have discovered to me in Relation to those who were Possessors of this place . That there was a Family which bore the Name of Lourdingden or Loringden , is most certain , for there is a place in Challock which yet continues the Name of Lorindens Forestal ; but when I consulted the private Evidences of this place , I found upon a serious Disquition they reached no higher then Henry the fourth , and in his Reign , it acknowledged it self to be of the Propriety of Cadman , a Family grown into a reverend esteem by a long Prescription in this Track ; but the Name of Dean continued in being till the Reign of Henry the sixth , and was in very ancient Deeds , some of which are not limited with any Date , written At Dean and A Dean , and in that Princes Reign was by Sale passed away to the above mentioned Family of Cadman ; in which Name both Loringdean and Dean remained clapsed up , till the entrance of K. James , and then by a Sole Daughter and Heir they went over to Plomer , who almost in our Memory transferred his Right in both of them by Sale to Peirce .

The Church of Challock being fallen down , was new erected by the Apulderfields , as the Glass windows and Stone work in divers places , embroider'd and diaper'd with the Voided Cross , which was their paternal Coat Armour , do more then sufficiently testifie .

Cranebrook gives name to the Hundred wherein it is seated , a Town very populous , in respect it was one of the first places where the Manufacture of Clothing was professed and practised , being brought into England in Edward the thirds Reign , who by proposing rewards , and granting many Immunities , trained Flemings into this Nation in the tenth year of his reign , to teach the English that Art of Draperie , or Weaving and making woollen Cloth , which is esteemed at this day , one of the Butteresse which sustains the Common-wealth ; and certainly for making durable Broad clothes with very good Mixtures and perfect Colours , Cranebrook doth with the most that way excell .

The first place of note in it , which obviates the eye , is Sisingherst ; but more properly and truly written Saxenhurst ; and as Bittenden , not far distant derives its Name from the Brittons , so in most probability did this take and assume its Denomination from the Saxons . In Testa de Nevil , a Book kept in the Exchequer , which is a memorial of those who holding their Lands in the Knights Service paid relief in the twentieth year of Henry third , towards the Marriage of the Kings Sister . There is mention of John de Saxenhurst who was taxed for his Lands here at Cranebrook , which certainly was this Sisingherst , with the two little Mannors of Copton and Stone ; which had alwayes the same Owners with Sisingherst : In times of a more modern Character , the Berhams by the Female Heirs of Saxenhurst were Lords of Sisingherst , with its two adjuncts Copton and Stone ; Richard de Berham who was Sheriff of Kent in the forty fourth year of Edward the third was here resident , and is written of this place ; and Henry de Berham this mans Father paid respective Aid at the making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , for sundry parcels of Land which he held in Kent , and amongst the rest , for his Lands at Cranebrook ; and in this Family was the possession of this place , with that of Copton and Stone concentered till the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then part of Sisingherst with Copton and Stone was sold to Mr. Tho. Baker Father to Sir John Baker Attorney General , and of the Privy Counsel to Queen Mary , and likewise Chancellor of the Exchequer , and under-Treasurer , who purchased the residue , and raised that Magnificent Pile within the Park , which now charmes with so much Delight the eyes of the Spectators ; and from this man by the channel of paternal and lineal Descent is the Inheritance of Sisingherst , Copton , and Stone , emptied into Sir John Baker Baronet , the instant Lord of the Fee .

Secondly , Glastenbury is not to be forgotten , since it is of so great a Name elsewhere , and is called as the other is from Glastney the Saxon Idiome of Inis Witrin , the Watry or Glassie place . The House which stands in a Park is moated about , and hath been for many Generations the capital Mansion of the ancient Family of Rokchurst , ever since Stephen Rokehurst or Roberts of Curtesden , and in old Records sometimes written Rokehurst Den in Goudherst , about the beginning of Henry the fourth married Joan Sole Heir of William Tilley of Glastenbury , ( whose Ancestors had flourished at this place , as private Evidencs instruct me , ever since the reign of Edward the first ) and in right of that Alliance became Lord of this Mansion . This Stephen Roberts , aliàs Rokehurst , was Grand-child of William Roberts , aliàs Rokehurst , and that William was great Grand-child of William de Rokehurst , who in the reign of William the Conquerour , as the Evidences of this Family inform me , came out of Anandale in Scotland into England ; and to preserve the memory of this man , did the Family till the Government of Henry the seventh , write Roberts alias Rokchurst , till in the East window of the North Chancel of the Church of Cranebrook , which was built by Walur Roberts Esq ; in that Princes Reign , as also in most of his Deeds and Conveyences the alias was left out .

Coursehorne finds place to be remembred in the Map of Kent , and then must not be forgotten here ; it hath been for above three hundred years ( as appears by private Records ) the Inheritance of Henley , in an Escheat Roll taken in the seventeenth year of Edward the third , and marked with the number 92. After the death of Richard Haudloe , who it seems had Lands at Cranebrook , there is mention of one Gerva ; Henley that was one of the Jury and concerned in the Inquisition : But that which much improves the Fame of this Mansion , is , that it was the Cradle of Sir Walter Henley Serjeant at Law , a man of eminent repute in this County in the Reign of Henry the eighth , and by his three Daughters and Coheirs , Elizabeth married to ....... Waller of Grome-bridge , Hellen first matched to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgbury , secondly to Sir George Somersett , and thirdly to Thomas Vane of Burston ; and lastly Ann wedded to Richard Covert of Slaugham in Sussex , knit those Noble Families together in one Alliance , but Coursehorne did by Descent come over to his Brother Gervas Henley Esquire , from whom Sir Thomas Henley now of Coursehorne is lineally extracted .

Another ancient place there is in Cranebrook , called Hartridge , the possession in times past of a worthy Family of that Sirname , among them chiefly to be remembred is Thomas Hartridge , for he was one of the Conservators or Justices of Peace in this County in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third , when there was but eight only in the whole Shire . It hath been since much honoured by the Will fords , who by James Willsford a most worthy Senator of London , derive themselves from the right ancient Family of Willsford of Willsford in Devonshire , and are fairly spread from hence into many Branches both in this County , and elsewhere ; and after it had thus for divers Descents been resident in this noble Family , the Possession was in our Fathers remembrance united by purchase to the Patrimony of Tindall , now of Sutton Valence .

Fifthly Betenham is not to be passed over in silence , which is a Note worthy Place in this Parish , that gave both Seat and Sirname to the Betenhams , but when the eldest Line had only three Daughters and Coheirs , matched to More , Dering , and Fisher , who divided the Patrimony , this in his Wifes right was annexed to the Demeasn of More , and this after More had alienated his Interest in it , came to acknowledge for Sole Owners the Roes , of which Family was the right Noble Sir Thomas Roe Knight , Chancellor of the most Noble Order of the Garter , and of the Privy Councel to the late Kidg Charles , and severall years Embassador to the Great Mogor , Great Turk , King of Sweden , and lastly to the Princes of the Protestant Union in Germany , in the year 1642. After which Negotiation most prudently transfacted , he returned , and died ; but in this Family it remained not long , for in the remembrance of that Age our Fathers lived in , it was by Sale demised to Mansfield , in whom the Possession is at this present setled .

There are two places more which may be registred in this Inventorie . The first is Plechinghurst , which was an ancient Seat belonging to the Sharpeighs of Sharpeigh , a Family of deep rooted Antiquitie in this Track ; Robert de Sharpeigh flourished here at Cranebrook about the beginning of Edward the first , and was witness to a Deed of William de Brindens of Brinden : In this Parish formerly the Linds , and now the Holdens ; but this Deed is without Date : another Robert Sharpeigh of Sharpeigh and Cranebrook , as I find by an ancient Roll was in Commission as Justice of the Peace about the latter end of the Government of Henry the seventh : But as all sublunary things are crushed and overturned by the wheel of an inconstant Vicissitude , so by Consequence are our Possessions likewise ; for , after this place had been for so many Descents the Inheritance of this ancient Family , it was almost within the Verge of our Remembrance , first alienated to Martin , and by him not long since by Sale demised to Walter .

The second is Buckhurst , which is the last place of Account within the circuit of this Parish . If we go to trace the Antiquity of thse Families , who were the ancient Proprietorrs of it , we shall find that it acknowledged Hadloe and Buckhurst for its elder Possessors , that the first had some concernment here , not only the private Deeds and Muniments of this place do evince to us , but likewise by an Inquisition taken after the decease of Richard de Hadloe , by which it is evident he held some Estate here in the seventeenth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 32. And that the second Family had some Interest here , not only the Authority abovesaid doth justifie , but the Name it self doth tacitly insinuate that this Mansion formerly gave Seat and Denomination to the Family of Buckhurst ; in times of a lower step , that is , in the Reign of Henry the seventh , I find it in the Tenure of Drayner ; but how it devolved to this Family , I cannot discover ; It is enough that it continued united to their Dimeasn , untill the beginning of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Alexander Coachman , in whose Descendant the Signorie and Interest of it hath ever since been constantly resident .

Cranebroke had the Grant of a Market to be observed weekly there on the Saturday , in the eighteenth year of Edward the first , as appears Cart. Edw. 1. Num. 92.

I had almost forgot to tell you that there is a place in this Parish called Holden , which with Hawkeridge hath for some Centuries of years acknowledged the Holdens for its Proprietaries , and are still united to the Patrimony of this Name and Family , which for such a vast Succession of time hath been planted at Cranebroke .

There was a Chappell at a place called Milkhouse , in the Eastern part of this Parish founded and endowed by John Lawless , about the latter end of Henry the seventh , which upon the generall Dissolation of Chantries and all other Religious Fraternities by Henry the eighth , was by that Prince about the latter end of his Rule granted to Sir John Baker of Sisingherst not far distant , whose Revenue is yet in the possession of Sir John Baker his Successor .

There was another Chappell founded at Sisingherst ( as the Evidences of that place do insinuate ) by John de Saxenhurst ; which was reedified by the late Sir John Baker , and by a Deed delivered to John Bancroft Bishop of Oxford devoted to the Service of God , and dedicated as it was before to St. John the Evangelist : After the reception of this Instrument , which was in the year 1637. it was by the same Bishop Consecrated ; first , by a Prayer at the entrance of the Chappell , then by others made at the Seats , Pulpit , and Communion Table ; the effect of all which was , that God would accept of it for a House , and likewise of the Prayers and Devotions that in that Oratorie were offered up by the faithful People of God to his Honour and Service .

Charing in the Hundred of Calehill , is in Saxon written Cering , and by that Name King Kenulf in the year 799. made Restitution of it to Christ Church in Canterbury at the humble request of Arch-Bishop Athelard , for King Offa had taken it away from that Church in the time of Arch-Bishop Janibert ; and being thus regained to the See , it continued so till the great Exchange made in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth with that Prince by Arch-Bishop Cranmer ; the Fee-simple was planted in the Crown : In the time of the Conquest in the Notitia of the Arch-Bishop and Cathedrals Lands , because they held it in ancient Demeasn ( that is , they had possest it long before the Conquest ) and a Mannor-house or Palace there , it was called Proprium Manerium Archiepiscopi . In the time of Edward the Confessor it went for eight Sullings or Plough-Lands , but in the twentieth year of William the Conquerour it was rated in Domsday Book at seven Sullings , because one Plough-Land was laid into his Demeasn . The Church dedicated to St. Peter and Paul , was anciently famous by a traditional relation , ( which I am not much moved with , for it wants the stamp of venerable Authority ) which did affirm , that the Block on which St. John the Baptists Head was cut off , was brought into England in the Reign of Richard the first , and kept in this Church .

The first place of secular Interest which doth occurre , is Pett , the Evidences of this place now in the hands of Sir Robert Honywood do mention the Petts to be in Ages of a very high Assent , that is , about the Reign of Henry the third , and Edward the first , Proprietaries of it but publick Records reach no farther than Newcourt Lord of the Mannor of Newcourt not far distant ; Jeffrey de Newcourt Son of Walter de Newcourt paid respective Aid in the twentieth year of Edward the third for his Lands at Newcourt and Pett . After the Newcourts were gone out , the Hatches were by Purchase planted at Pett and Newcourt ; they were called so from their abode near some Gate or passage , for one of them who was Possessor of these two places , was written Hugh at Hatch ; from this Family by Sale about the latter end of Henry the seventh , the right of Pett and Newcourt devolved to William Warham ; and in some Copies of Fines which I have seen by a false Transcription written William Warren , and this man sold them both again in the entrance of the Reign of Henry the eighth to Robert Atwater , who determining in Mary Atwater his Sole Heir , She by matching with Robert Honywood Esquire of Henewood in Postling , wound up the Interest of these two places Pett and Newcourt into the Demeasn of that Family , so that they now own Sir Robert Honywood his great Grandchild the Sole Proprietary of them .

Stilley is another little Mannor lying within Charing , and was anciently enwrapt in the Revenue of Frene , John de Frene who flourished in the Reign of Henry the third , is mentioned in Testa de Nevill , a Book collected in the twentieth year of that Prince , to have paid Aid at the Marriage of the Kings Sider , for Lands which he possest at Charing ; after in the twentieth year of Edward the third , there is a recital in the Book of Aid of Sir Thomas de Brockhull Son of Sir William de Brockhull , who paid an Auxiliary supply at the making of the Black Prince Knight for his Lands which he held at Saltwood , Calehill , Charing , and other places in this County ; but after this the Possession was not long resident in this Family , for Henry Brockhull this mans second Son , to whom these Mannors of Stilley and Newland were assigned for livelyhood , about the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , transmitted them by Sale to John Darell Esquire , Son of Sir William Darell , who was extracted out of the right ancient and Knightly Family of the Darells of Sesay ; from whom Sir John Darell of Calehill , and Lord of this Mannor of Stilley , is originally and lineally issued out .

Wickins is another Mannor circumscribed within the Limits of this Parish , it was originally the Patrimony of Brent , a Family well endowed in this Track , and certainly was as ancient a Seat of this Family as any which lay involved in their Revenue , for John Brent Son of Robert de Brent of Charing paid respective Aid for Lands which he held here in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and William Brent who was Son of Hugh Brent of Charing , made his Will the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth , and disposed of this place to his Son Hugh Brent ; and this Hugh had Issue William Brent , who composed his Testament in the tenth year of Henry the seventh ; and this William was great Grandfather to Thomas Brent , in whom the Male Line determined , so that Margaret his Sister became his Sole Heir , who by matching with Jo. Dering of Surrenden Dering Esquire , hath made Wickins ever since parcel of the Demeasn of that Name and Family .

Newland is another eminent Mannor in Charing , which gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so styled : Sir John de Newland lived here in the Reign of Edward the first , and sealed with an Escollop upon a Cheveron for his Coat , which is yet visible in ancient Registers , and other venerable Monuments of Antiquity ; but before the latrer end of Edward the third , this Family was extinguished at this place , and then it became parcel of the noble Family of Brockhull of Cale-Hill , and continued folded up in their Possession untill the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , and then it was passed away by Deed from Henry Brockhull to John Darrell Esquire , from whom it is by successive Devolution now transported to his Successor Sir John Darrell of Cale-Hill Knight .

Eversley next courts us to a Remembrance , it lies partly in Charing , and partly in Stacefield , and though now obscure , yet in elder times was made eminent by being one of the Mansions of Brian de Eversley , a Man very eminent in the Reign of Henry the third and Edward the first , and is mentioned in the Leiger Book of Feversham , to have been a Benefactor to that Covent ; but his Piety could not secure the Title to his Posterity , for about the beginning of Edward the third , I find it planted in the Posfession of Peiferer , by the Heir General of which Family called Julian , it came to be the Possession of Thomas St. Leger , and he died possest of it in the tenth year of Henry the fourth , and bequeathed it to Mary his Daughter and Coheir , espoused to Henry Aucher , from whom it was wafted down by descendant Right to his Successor Sir Anthony Aucher , who about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth alienated it to Michael Sond ; Esquire , afterwards created Sir Michael Sonds , from whom it is now devolved to his Descendant Sir George Sonds Knight of the Bath .

Tremhatch in old Deeds Tramhatch , lies likewise in Charing , and is advanced and ascended to some Note and Estimate , since it was honoured by being parcel of the Patrimony of Barham , a Family which was made splendid by an eminent Repute , and no less considerable by a spreading Revenue which they held in this County , of whom I shall speak more when I come to Barham Court in Terstan , one of the principal Mansions of this Name : Finally , after it had for several Descents confessed the Propriety of this Family , it was by Richard Barham conveyed by a Fine levied the eleventh year of Henry the fourth to John Haut , where the Title was not so fixed as in the former , for he not long after by a semblable Alteration passed it away to Henry Malmains , and who about the Reign of Henry the fifth determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , whereof was Agnes wedded to Thomas Gouldwell , and so by this Alliance Tremhatch was enwrapped in his Patrimony , and continued in the Descendants of this Name untill the forty second year of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was alienated by John Gouldwell and Cicely his Wife to Robert Gaunt , whose Son Thomas Gaunt died possest of it 1625 , and gives it first to his Brother George Gaunt , and in Defailance of Issue to Thomas Carlisle , who in Right of the premises is now invested in the Possession .

Broughton is a Mannor which is likewise circumscribed within the Limits of Charing , and had Owners likewise of that Sirname . Adam de Broughton and sometimes written Brocton , flourished here about the Reign of Edward the first , and his Descendants enjoyed the Proprietie of it untill the latter end of Richard the second , and then it was alienated to Paunsherst , Thomas Paunsherst made his Will in the year of our Lord 1472 , and gave it to Thomas Paunsherst his Son , and he made his Will in the year 1503 , and disposed of it to his Daughter Joan Paunsherst , and in Defailance of her Issue , to his Kinsman Thomas Paine ; She deceased without Issue , and so the Remainder devolved to be the Inheritance of Paine , in which Name it remained untill times of our remembrance , and then it was alienated to the Father of the instant Proprietary , Withick .

Here was a Chauntry at Charing founded , as an ancient Survey of this Parish instructs me , by Sir Iohn Burley , who bare Quarterly Or and Sables , and was called successively Burley's Chauntry the Duty enjoyned the Priest that was to officiate , was to pray for the Soules of Sir Iohn Burley , Sir William de Burleigh , and the Descendants of that Family , the Demeasn which was to support it , was upon the suppression granted to Sir Io. Darell Ancestor to Sir Iohn Darell of Cale-Hill , who now is in the Enjoyment of it .

Acton is the laft place of Account in Charing , which is eminent in respect of that relation it had to the ancient and noble Family of Beaufits , who made it their Seat before they were transplanted to Twidal in Gillingham . Robert Beaufits , as appears by an ancient Court Roll held it in the Reign of Henry the third , and from him did it descend to his Grandchild Robert Beaufits , who about the fourth year of Edward the third , planted himself at Twidal : but yet this still continued in the Name untill the Reign of Henry the seventh , and then this Name expiring in Daughters and Coheirs , one of them called Ioan by matching with Robert Arnold made it the Propriety of that Family , and he had Issue William Arnold , who conveyed it about the the middle of Henry the eighth to Sir Anthony Sonds , whose Grandchild Sir Richard Sonds in our Fathers remembrance alienated it to Hutchins , from whom by the Hands of Mr. Nicholas Nicholson , who was made his Feoffee in Trust to discharge Debts and Legacies , it is now come over to Godden .

Chartham in the Hundred of Bredge and Petham , is a Mannor belonging to the Sea of Canterbury , but of whose Donation I know not ; onely Doomsday Book represents it thus appraised , Certeham est Manerium de vestitu Monachorum , & T. E. R. defondebat se pro IIII Sullings , & nunc similiter , & est appretiatur XX & V lb.

Having done with Chartham , I shall now discover what places are enclosed within the Verge of it , which were alwayes of temporal Interest .

Densted is another Mannor in Chartham , which in the twentieth year of Edward the third was held by John the Son of Sir John Polre of Polre in Harbledowne , but onely as Lessee to the Priory of Leeds , to which Covent it was given by Hamon de Crevequer about the forty seventh year of Henry the third , pro salute Animae suae & Antecessorum suorum , says an old Note extracted out of the Coucher Book of the Prioty ; yet the whole Mannor did not accrue to this Cloister by the former Donation , for in the eighth year of Rich. the second , Rob. Bovehatch , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 81. being convicted of Felony , was found to have held some Land here at Densted , which upon the Forfeiture , was by that Prince , it is probable , as was customary in those times , settled on the Priory of Leeds , and lay wholly couched in their Revenue until the publick Dissolution in the reign of Henry the eighth rent it off , and then it was in the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth granted to John Tufton Esquire , and he about the third year of Ed. the sixth alienated it to Richard Argal Esquire ; from whom not long after it came over by Sale to Mr. Bartholomew Man , and he about the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it by Sale to William Lovelace Esquire , Serjeant at Law to that Princess ; and his Son Sir Will . Lovelace , about the Beginning of K. James , passed it away to to Sir Will . Cullimore , whose Lady not long after conveyed it to Tho. Steed of Steed-Hill , and he not many years since demised it to Sir Tho. Swan of Southfleet , whose Son and Heir William Swan Esquire enjoys the instant Signorie of it .

Howfield is a second place which calls for our Notice , it was as high as any Evidence can furnish me with Intelligence , to steer me on to any old Discovery , the Patrimonial Inheritance of Fogge , a noble and Knightly Family as any in this Track : Sir Thomas Fogge who inhabited at Toniford , about the latter end of Edward the third , purchased this and Toniford of John de Toniford , about the last year of that Princes Rule , and in the Revenue of this Family did the Title of this Mannor for many Descents lye rolled up , till some few Generations since it was alienated to Colepeper , where after some short residence , the Possession by the same Fate was transplanted into Vane , from whom not many years since it went away by Sale to Sir Will . Man * * See more of this Family of Man at Bredgar . of Canterbury , who is the instant Proprietary of it .

But the place in Chartham of most eminent Account is the Mannor of Shalmesford-Bridge , so called because the Mansion House is situated near the Bridge , which crosses the Stoure . It was for many Generations the Inheritance of a Family which had here their Seat , and derived from hence their Sirname , and continued down in an uninterrupted succession in the Possession of this Family , until about the beginning of the reign of Henry the seventh , ( as appears by the Deed which I have seen ) Ann Daughter and Sole Heir of William Shalmesford was wedded to John Petit , and so by this Alliance the Fee-simple of this place was lincked to their Patrimony ; but in our Fathers Memory the Tie was broken , for William Petit this Mans Successor deceased without Issue Male , and left onely three Daughters his Coheirs , Katharine married to Michael Belke , Elizabeth matched to Giles Masters , and lastly Dorothy espoused first to William Masters , secondly to John Meriwether , and thirdly to ...... Parker of North-Fleet , who shared his Revenue ; but this upon the separation of the Estate , did improve the Demeasn of Michael Belke with its accession , from whom it is descended to the present owner Mr. ....... Belke , now Vicar of Wye , issued out from the Belkes of Coperham's Sole in Shelvich , which hath been in the Tenure and Possession , as it now is , of this Name and Family , as the private Evidences of the place do manifest , almost four hundred years .

There is yet another petty Mannor in Chartham called Shalmesford Street , but more truly and originally the Mansion of Bolles , for it was the Interest of that Name and Family who had large Possessions at Chilham and the parts adjacent , but upon my viewing the private Evidences of this place , some of which reached to Edw. the third , I could not discover that any of them were ever represented under the notion of Gentlemen , or that there was any Coat of Arms insculped on their Seats , after Bolles was worn out , which was about the beginning of the reign of Q , Eliz. the Possession was by Sale surrendred to Cracknal , from whom in that Age which bordered upon our remembrance , it was by the same Fatality conveyed away to Michel , who claims the present Possession of it .

Chetham with Gillingham are knit into one Hundred , so that it gives Name to that Track wherein it is situared ; it was in Ages of a very high Pedigree , the Seat of the Potent , Ancient , and Illustrious Family of Crevequer , and was Caput Baroniae , or the principal Mannor which related to their Barony , before they transplanted themselves to Leeds Castle , and frequently writ Domini de Cetham ; Hamon de Crevequer lived in the Time of the Conquerour , and is mentioned in the great Survey , styled Deomesday-Book , and he had Issue Robert Crevequer , or de Crepite Corde , who was joyned as an Assistant to John Fiennes in the Guard of Dover Castle , and he was Grand-father to Robert Crevequer who erected Leeds Castle , and had Issue Hamon de Crevequer , who matched with Matilda de Averenches , Daughter and Heir of William de Averenches , by whom he had Issue Hamon de Crevequer , who was so involved in the Design and Combination of Simon de Montfort , which was to retrench the Prerogative of Henry the third , that he made the Breast of Prince Edward , eldest Son to that King , boile with so much Passion and Animosity , that it could not be appeased or allayed , until he had appointed Henry Cobbam his Substitute in his Constableship of Dover , to dismantle and raze his Castle at Leeds , and seise on this Mannor as the Expiation and recompense of so great a Defection and Folly ; and although his Crimes were afterwards absolved and entombed in the Pacification of Killingworth , yet I do not find that ever Chetham was restored to him , for in the tenth year of Edward the second , that Prince exchanges this Mannor and divers other pieces of Land with Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , for the Mannor of Adresley and the Advowson of the Church in Shropshire : But he soon after insculped these Benefits of the Kings in Sand , a weak Register to record so many important Obligations , and by his Confederacy with Tho. Earl of Lancaster , and others of the mutinous Nobility , forfeited both this and his life at Canterbury ; upon whose Tragedie it resolved again into the Revenue of the Crown , and there rested until K. Edw. the third , in the second year of his Reign restored it again to his Son Bartholomew Badelesmer , and he dying in the twelfth year of that Kings Government without Issue , Margaret matched to William Rosse , and re-married to Thomas Arundel , and Margery another of his Sisters matched to Sir Jo. de Tib itot , and Co-heirs , shared his Inheritance at this place . Sir John Tibitot in his Wife 's right died seised of it in the thirty third year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. And Margaret Widow of Will . Rosse , and Wife of Tho. Arundel , was in possession of a Moitie of it at her decease , which was in the thirty seventh year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 62. And from these two did it descend by the successive steps of paternal progression , to Tho. Lord Rosse , who was beheaded at Newcastle upon Tine and attainted in the fourth year of Edw. the fourth , as a Complice of the House of Lancaster ; and likewise to John Tiptoft Earl of Worcester , who was attainted and beheaded in the year 1470 , as a Partisan of the House of York : so that the whole Mannor by the several Attaints being swallowed up in the Revenue of the Crown , it was by Edw. the fourth in the eighteenth year of his Reign granted to Roger Lord Wentworth and Margaret his Wife , Widow of Tho. Lord Rosse , and Tho. Lord Wentworth this mans Successor , about the Beginning of Q. Eliz. alienated it to Barnham and Slany , who immediately after disposed of their right in it by a joynt Sale to Barker , from whom by the like Fate within the Verge of that Age , which fell under our Grand-fathers remembrance , it came over to Sir Rob. Jackson ; and he not many years since conveyed it , by Sale to Sir Oliver Boteler , Grand-father to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet , in whom resides the present Signorie of it . But Waldeslade was given by Rich. the second in the eleventh year of his Reign ( as the Book called Feoda Militum kept in the Exchequer intimates ) to the Abby of Canous Langley , frequently written Childrens Langley , and lay involved in their revenue till the general Dissolution , and then King Henry the eighth in the thirty fifth year of his reign granted it to Sir Thomas Moile ; from whom the Fee-simple by Amy his Daughter and Co-heir devolved to Sir Thomas Kempe , and he in the tenth year of Q. Eliz. passed it away to Jo. Mabbe , who in the twentieth of her reign alienated it to William Emes , from whom in the twenty fifth of that Princess it devolved to Richard Fogge Esq ; and he in the twenty sixth year of her Government conveyed it to Mr. Ex Autographis penes Rich. Lea de Delce magna Armig. Tho. Cocks , who in the thirty sixth of that Queen transferred it by Sale to Mr. Richard Lea ; from whom it descended to his Son and Heir Captain Rich. Lea of Great Delce Esquire , and he by Sale gave up his right to his second Brother Mr. Thomas Lea , who dying without Issue gave it to his Nephew the instant Proprietary Richard Lea now of Great Delce Esquire .

The late Repair of the Parish Church , and new Building of the Steeple commends the religious Care and Cost of his late Majesties Commissioners and Officers of the Navy Royal in the year 1635. But the Arsenals , Store-houses and Shipdocks erected by the late K. Charles , are so magnificent and universally useful , that they are become a principal Pillar of the Nations support , so far as they relate to the naval defence of it , and affords variety of imployment , by the Manufacture of Cordage , as also by the Careening and Building of Ships .

Chetham Hospital called St. Bartholomews , was founded by Gundulphus Bishop of Rochester in the time of William Rufus , to which the Norwoods of Norwood , and the Crevequers ( as the Records of the Church of Rochester do specifie ) were plentitul Benefactors .

Chart Magna or Great Chart gives Name to the whole Hundred which lies about it , and hath thereby a tacite Note of Antiquity and eminence annexed to it , and was in the Saxons Time called Seleberts Chert . In the year of Grace 788. King Cenulfe or Kenulfe at the Request of Arch-Bishop Athelard regranted this place to the Sea of Centerbury , for Offa sometime before had wrested it from Arch-Bishop Janibert . In the Time of the Conquest , when the Church Demeasn was rated , this was valued at three Sullings or Plough-Lands .

Goldwell is an ancient Mannor and Mansion in this Parish , which was for many Ages and Descents the Inheritance of the noble and illustrious Family of Goldwell , which in Times of an elder Aspect , gave them both Seat and Sirname , out of which two learned Bishops descended , Jam. Goldwell who was Bishop of Norwich in the year 1472 , and principal Secretary of State to Edw. the fourth , who obtained a Grant from that Prince to found a Chauntry in Great Chart , as appears , Pat. 15. Edw. 4. Pars tertia . And Tho. Goldwell Bishop of St. Asaph , in the year 1555. But alass ! after this Mannor had been so long seated in the Patrimony of Goldwell , it was at length alienated ( such is the volatile and unsetled temper of all earthly Inheritances ) not many years since by J. Goldwell to Sir Will . Withins , and he passed it away to Sir J. Tufton Ancestor to the right honourable Jo. Tufton now E. of Thanet , who by paternal Descent is now entituled to the Possession of Goldwell : but Goddinton by Joan Goldwell who was Daughter and Heir to Tho. Goldwell , a branch sprouted out of the principal Stem at Goldwell , came to be the Inheritance of Tho. Tooke , and hath for sundry Generations continued in that Name till this Day , some of which lie buried in Chart Church with very fair Inscriptions , unless the Sacrilegious Impiety of these Times hath ravished away the Brass which should stand an Alphabet to their Dust ; and in the upper Church windows , about the second Story , their Gentry , Descent , Matches , and Alliance is most amply exprest in their Armories , and that ( unless the wildness of some barbarous Hand have lately demolished them ) in coloured Glass .

Chelmington is another Mannor in this Parish which gave Sirname to a generous Family , who I believe had here their Mansion too , though by the repeated and successive Impressions of Age it be now enter'd in Rubbish and Oblivion ; finally , after this place had for many Descents been wrapt up in the Revenue of this Name and Family , it devolved at last to John Chelmington , whose Effigies is represented to us in one of the Church windows by an armed Portraicture , who deceased in the reign of Henry the fourth without Issue Male , so that Eliz. Chelmington was his Daughter and Heir , who by matching with Roger Twisden Esq ; cast it into the Patrimony of that noble and ancient Family , in respect of which original Alliance the right of this Mannor is now fixed in Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet , a person to whom for his learned Conduct of these my imperfect Labours thorough the gloomy and perplexed paths of Antiquity , and the many Difficulties that did assault me , I am signally oblieged .

Little Chart lies in the Hundred of Calchill , and does involve that place within the Precincts and Circumference of it , which gives Denomination to the whole Hundred ; It was restored to the Monks of Christ Church in Canterbury by Kenulfe King of Mercia , at the request of Arch-Bishop Athelard or Atheldred , in the year of Grace 799. for King Offa had before violently torn it off from the Patrimony of the Church , as appears by that ancient Record called the Book of Christ Church . In the year 1044 , one Elleric Bigge confirmed this Donation , and it went then as it had done before by Assignation towards the supply of their Diet ; And the Notitia of the particular Mannors belonging to Christ Christ in the Dooms-day Record speaks thus ; Litel Cert . iterum est Manerium Monachorum , & de Cibo eorum , quod in T. E. R. id est , Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro III Sullings , & nunc pro duo & dimidio & valet VIII lb. The other half Sulling or Ploughland was at that time held by William Fitz-Herminfrid of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in Fee , and was called Pett . This Mannor was many Generations since given in Fee-Farm by Grant from the Monks of Christ Church to the Brockhulls , who transmitted it with Calehill to John Darell Esq ; in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , and under that Notion or Capacity it continued till the suppression , and then it was confirmed to Sir James Darell by King Henry the eighth in Fee-Ferm , there being a small Rent issuing out of it reserved to the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church , and under that Character is it now come down to Sir John Darell the instant Lord of the Fee .

Calehill is that eminent Mannor in Little Chart which gives Name to the whole Hundred , it was under the Scepter of Henry the third , the Inheritance of a good Family called Frene , who ( as appears by Seals and other Authentick Records of Armorie ) bare for their paternal Coat Or a Flower de Lis within a plain Bordure Sables , in Allufion and Assimulation to that Pluckly , of whom it is probable they held some Land in this Track , who bore Or only a Flower de Lis Sabler ; Hugh de Frene in the first year of Ed. the first , obtained a Charter of Free Warren to his Mannor of Calehill and Stilley in Charing : But before the middle of Edw. the third , this Family was departed from the Possession of this place , having surrendred the Propriety of it , and Stilley in Charing to Sir Thomas Brockhull second Son of Sir William Brockhull , and he paid respective Aid for his Mannor of Calehill , and his Lands at Charing , at making the Black Prince Knight ; Thomas Brockhull his Son was Sheriff of Kent the seventh and eighth years of Rich. the second , and held his Shrievalty at Calehill , and he had Issue Hen. Brockhull , who in the fourth year of Hen. the fourth conveyed Calehill to * * Ex Autographis Jo. Darell de Calchill Militis . John Darell Esq ; younger Brother of Darell of Sesay and elder Brother to Sir Will . Darell under-Treasurer of England , which John was Steward of the Lands of Hen. Chichley Arch-B . of Cant. a place in those Times of a large Trust , and as eminent a Concernment , and in the twelfth year of the abovesaid Prince Hen. Brockhull mentioned before , passed away Stilley in Charing to John Darell abovesaid , from whom it came over to his Successor James Darell , who by a Charter of Inspection in the third of Hen. the sixth , had the Franchise or Priviledge of Free Warren renewed to his Mannors of Calchill and Stilley in Charing , which was originally granted to Hugh de Frene : John Darell Esq ; was Sheriff of Kent the seventh of Hen. the seventh , he was afterwards dignified with the Order of Knighthood , and was so eminent a Partisan of that Prince , that he had his Estate torn from him by * * See Rot. Par. de An. tertio Ric. 3 Memb. 6. Richard the third for his Fidelity to his Cause and Quarrel , which , * * See Originale An. 2. Hen. 7. Rot. 17. in the Treasurers side in the Exchequer . with thirteen other Mannors lying dispersed in the County of Worcester was granted to him again by Henry the seventh before mentioned , and was made Captain of the Lanciers for this part of the County wherein he lived . Sir James Darell was his Son and Heir , who was Governour of Guines and Hames Castle near Calais , Thus have I in prospect represented when Jo. Darell above mentioned originally extracted from the Knightly Family of the Darells of Sesay in York-shire , deserted that County , to transplant himself into Kent , and fix his residence at Little Chart , from whom Sir John Darell who now enjoys the Signory of Calehill , and Proprietie of Stilley in Charing , by a Derivation of many Descents ( all of whom were very considerable in their Generations , as their Monuments and sepulchral Inscriptions remaining in their own Chappel of St. Katharines in Little Chert Church , do at this instant eminently manifest ) is by a just and un-interrupted Series originally and lineally extracted

Burleigh is another Mannor , partly in this Parish , and partly in Charing , which had anciently Owners who bore that Sirname , and there is a place in Charing Church , which at this Day is known by the Name of Burleighs Chauntry , which is very probable was founded by them ; after the Burleighs were extinguished and abstracted from the Possession of this place , which was about the Beginning of Edward the third , the St. Johns written in Sir John Darells Latin Deeds De Sancto Johanne , became Lords of the Fee ; but long this Mannor was not refident in them , for before the end of Edward the third , this Family of St. John was crumbled into Decay and Oblivion , and having disloged from the Possession , a Family called Dalingryg of eminent Note in Hantshire , were entituled by Purchase to the Proprtety of it , and Sir Edward Dalingryg by a Fine levyed the first year of Richard the first , passed it away to Roger Dalingryg , and Alice his Wife , and they not long after by the same Vicissitude conveyed their united Interest here to Brockhull of Cale hill , and Hen. Brockhull in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , transmitted it by Sale to John Darrell Esquire , and from him by the Chanel of sundry Descents is the Right now descended to Sir John Darrell , who hath the instant Fee-simple of it .

Chart Sutton sometimes called Chart Greene , is seated in the Hundred of Eyhorne ; within the Confines of this Parish there is an ancient Mannor and Mansion called Norton place , it gave Name to as ancient a Family as any in this Track , in the South-Windows of the Church there was the Effigies of Stephen Norton , with his Arms on his Tabard or Surcoat , viz. Argent a Cheveron between three Crescents Azure , who flourished in King Richard the seconds Time ; and in a Turnament of the Kentish Gentlemen , I find one of this Name in a Tabard of the Arms above mentioned , encountring one Christmasse of East Sutton not far distant , who was in like manner so habited in a Surcoat charged with his Arms , which meetly express the Owners name , viz. Gules upon a bend Sables three Wassail Bowls Or , which likewise stand in the South-Windows in Sutton Church . But the Effects of Gavelkind did at length grind this Family to a small Remain , so that in the Times which did almost border upon those our Fathers lived in , this Seat was by Norton sold to Baker , from whom by the same Fatality not long after it went away to Sir Edward Hales Grandfather to Sir Edward Hales Baronet , who is the present Proprietary of it . But though the Family be worn out at this place , yet from a Cadet of this Name , who did once possess Wierton in Boughton Quarry , now the Mansion of Sir Anthony St. Leger , did Sir Gregory Norton now of Sussex Knight and Baronet lately deceased originally sprout forth .

There is another place in this Parish called the Den of Ivetegh , which was anciently the Inheritance of a Family who bore that Name , and though the Deeds now in the Hands of my Cozen Mr. Thomas Petley of Vilston , do discover the Possession to be resident in this Name , no higher then the Rule of Henry the fixth , yet it is probable , because the Name was local it was theirs long beyond that Time ; from Ivetegh it came to Mascall , a Family whose Estate was formerly at Berming , and from this Name it was by Sale demised to Lambe , who some three descents since alienated his Interest in it to Perry , extracted from the Perrys of Worcestershire ; but this Family lately determining in Females , Elizabeth marryed to Mr. Thomas Petley of Vilston , Ann , and Mary , these three are the Vihble Coheits of that Estate which related to it .

Crayford in the Hundred of Little and Lesness contains diverse places in it of eminent Consideration ; fitst , Howbery , offers it self up to our View : It was in the Reign of Henry the third , and Edward , as appears by ancient Court Rolls and other Evidences , the Patrimony of the noble Family of Northwood , who held it for severall Descents in an uninterrupted Channel , untill the Reign of Richard the second , and then the Title and Propriety of it was by the Revolution of Sale transplanted into Abermill , but here the Possession was so cursory and transient , that before the end of Henry the fourth , it was surrendred to Nicholas Carew of Surrey , and John Cornwallis of London , who by joynt Concurrence in the fifth year of Henry the fifth conveyed it to Richard Bryan , and he in the first year of Henry the sixth passed it away to Roger Apylton , one of the Auditors to that Prince , and his Father Henry the fifth , and Agnes his Wife Widow of Thomas Coveley or Cowley , and the Reversion in Fee to her Son Thomas Cowley , which accordingly after her Decease descended to him , and from him it was transported by Descen to his Grandchild John Cowley , who in the twenty second year of Henry the eighth , alienated it to John Judde , whose Son Henry Judde about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth resigned up the Possession by Sale to Sir Richard Fane ; in whose Family after it had fixed untill that Age , which was within the Confines of our Fathers Remembrance , it was by Purchase made the Patrimony of Draper , and is still the Inheritance of Master ........ Draper now in his Minority .

Newbery is the second place of Account , which was in elder Times ennobled by being parcell of that Inheritance which confessed the Dominion of St. John , and Edward St. John , as appears by the Records of this place , flourished here in the Reign of Edward the first , and Edward the second , and dying without Issue , left his Estate here to Isabell his Sister and Coheir , matched to Henry de Burgherst , and he in her Right dyed possest of it the twenty third year of Edward the third , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 94. parte secunda . After this Family was crumbled away at this place , I find it folded up in the Demeasne of Poynings , the last of which who enjoyed it was Thomas Poynings , who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , conveyed it to John Kingston Esquire , in which Family it made its aboad untill the Reign of Henry the eighth , and then I find it departed from this Name , and cast into the Possession of Sir Thomas Lisley , whose Descendant about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth conveyed it to Apylton of Marshalls Court in this Parish , where they had been resident many Descents before , and Roger Apylton gave this and Marshalls Court in Dower with his Daughter Frances , matched to Mr. Francis Goldsmith , who almost in our Remembrance passed away Newberry to Draper , Ancestor to Mr. Draper now Proprietary of it ; but Marshalls Court was alienated to Pix , whose Descendant not many years since sold his Interest in it to Mrs. Touse of London , who hath setled it in Marriage on her Daughter matched to Collonel Wood of Kingston on Thames .

Ellam is the last place of Remark in Crayford , it gave Seat and Sirname to a good old Family , who for many Descents passed under the Notion and Estimate of Gentlemen , before they deserted the Possession of this Seat , and bore Argent a Sword in Bend Dexter Sables : Henry Ellam dyed 1471 , and lyes entombed in Crayford Church ; John Ellam deceased 1481 , and had there likewise his place of Sepulture , both whose Monuments Time and a Casual Fire invading the Church , have miserably dismanteled ; the last of this Name who was possest of this place was John Ellam , who in the sixteenth year of Henry the seventh alienated it to Henry Harman , who was then Clerk of the Crown , in which Family it continued untill the latter end of King James ; and then it was passed away with May Street , ( which Henry Harman abovesaid purchased of Cowley and Bulbeck of Bubeck Street in this Parish , in the twentieth of Edward the fourth ) to Draper , whose Descendant Mr ....... Draper is entituled to the Interest of both these places .

The Arch Bishops of Canterbury had anciently some Concernment in Crayford , for as I find by Record William Arch Bishop of Canterbury in the twentieth of Richard the second , obtained the Grant of a Market to this place to be weekly observed on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly on the Vigil , the Day of our Ladies Nativity , and four Dayes after .

Northcrey lies in the Hundred of Rokesley , and though an obscure Village in it self , yet is made eminent by containing within its Limits the Mannor of Rokesley , which contributes a name to the whole Hundred , it was as high as can by Record be traced , the Inheritance of Rokesley , Greogrie de Rokesley Lord Maior of London in the year 1275 , which was in the third year of Edward the first , an eminent man in those times he was , for as by the Chartularies of London it appears , he was Keeper of the Kings Exchange in London , and Say-master Generall of the Kings Mint ; nor was his Son of less reputation , for Sir Richard de Rokesley , so was he called , was Seneschal of Poictou , and Governour of Montreul in Picardy about the latter end of Edward the first , but died without issue Male , and left Ioan his Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Sir Thomas de Poynings , Father of Richard Lord Poynings , and so Rokesley became the Inheritance of that Family : but Northcrey remained longer in Rokesley , for Roger de Rokesley a Cadet of this Family paid respective Aid for Northcrey in the twentyeth year of Edward the third , but it seems went out without Issue , so that Northcrey devolved to Poynings as the next of Alliance ; for Richard Lord Poynings died seised of both these Mannors in the thirteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc. 148. whose Sole Heir Elianor was married to Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland , whose Successor Henry Earl of Northumberland in the Reign of Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of that Prince bequeathed by Testament these Mannors to the Crown , where they lay involved till the same Prince by Grant made them the Inheritance of Sir Roger Cholmeley , one of his Judges , who not long after alienated them to Sir Martin Bowes , and he had Issue William Bowes , who concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , Elizabeth married to Mr. William Buggin Esquire , and Ann married to Sir Bdmund Fowler , who shared his Patrimony , but Northcrey , and Rokesley upon the partition was annexed to the Demeasn of Buggin , from whom it is descended to Mr. William Buggin his Son , in whom the Possession is now resident .

Jackets Court in this Parish was a place which gave Seat and Sirname to Gentlemen of this Name : I have seen an old Roll of Kentish Arms , wherein Jacket of Jackets Court is recorded , but the Arms were of so antiquated an Aspect , that I could not distinguish neither the Colour nor Charge ; from Jacket by Sale it went away to Switzer , a Name of signal Antiquity in this Track , though never under the repute of Gentlemen , one of which in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it to Edmund Cook Esquire , whose Son Mr. Lambert Cook passed it away to Alderman Leman , and he surrendred his Right in it to Whiffen , by whose Daughter and Heir it is lately come to be the Inheritance of Mr. Thomas Bales Esquire , Barrister at Law .

Rokesley and Northcrey were formerly two distinct Parishes , till Cardinal Reginald Pole , when he visited Kent , which was in the year 1557 , finding it convenient by reason of their Situation , and the narrowness of the Demeasn , to lay them together , united them into one , so that Rokesley ( the Church by disuse being languished into decay ) hath been ever since esteemed an Appendage to Northerey .

Pauls Crey or Paulins Crey , lies in the Hundred of Rokesley , and gave Sirname to Sir Simon de Crey , who was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in the third and fourth year of Edward the first , and afterwards in the twenty eighth year of that Princes Reign accompanied him in his victorious Expedition into Scotland , and is in the Register of those Kentish Cavaleirs who were embarqued in that successfull Design . After this Family was worn away , Champneys , a Name of celebrated Note in the County of Somerset , was Lord of the Fee , Hugh de Champneys is mentioned in the Book of Aid to have paid some respective supply for this Mannor at the making the Black Prince Knight in twentyeth year of Edward the third ; and Champneys Field , so called at this day , which lies in Sir Thomas Walsinghams Park , and hath been for many Descents the Walsinghams , was belonging to this man ; From Champneys it came down to Scroop , a Noble and Ancient Family extracted out of the North-Riding of Yorke-shire ; Sir Henry le Scroope died possest of it in the fifteenth year of Richard the second , and Thomas Scroope after him held it at his Decease , which was in the fifteenth year of Edward the fourth ; after Scroope was gone out , I find Talbot , which was in the Reign of Henry the seventh , to be fixed in the Possession of this place , and is in some Deeds written Talbot of Grafton ; by whose Daughter and Heir it devolved to Danbie , in the time of Henry the eighth , descended from the Danbies of Middleham Castle in Yorke-shire ; in which Family after the Possession for divers years had inhabited , it was about threescore years since sold away to Mr. James Smith of London , who deceasing without Issue Male , this by Mary his Sole heir is come to acknowledge Mr. Edward Waller of Beaconsfield Esquire for its instant Possessor .

Kitchin-Grove is a small Mannor in this Parish , which for many Ages since was the Demeasn of Ferby , written in ancient Deeds Ferbey ; from whom sundry Descents since , it came by purchase to Heron , but was not of that continuance here as in the former Family ; for after some fifty years Possession it was in the Reign of Henry the seventh alienated to Walsingham of Scadbury , Ancestor to Sir Thomas Walsingham , in whom the Proprietie of it is at this instant resident .

John Dynley had license here in the sixteenth year of Edward the third to build a Bridge over the River , leading to his Demeasn Land at Hockenden in this Parish , which with Walkelins hath been for above two hundred years the Inheritance of Sir Leonard Ferby and his Predecessors , Pat. Anno 16. Edw. tertii Part. prima .

Votes-Crey in the Hundred of Rokesley , taketh that Denomination from one Vote , the owner thereof in the Conquerours time ; in Ages of a more modern Descent , the Rokesleyes were Proprietaries of it , and Gregorie de Rokesley was seised of it at his death , which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the first , and left it to his Son Roger de Rokesley , who by a fine levied in the thirty third year of the abovesaid Prince , passed it away to John Abel , Margerie his Wife , and Walter his Son , which Walter after by the same Devolution translated his right in it to Sir Simon de Vaughan , who in the twentieth year of Edward the third paid respective Aid for it at the making the Black Prince Knight : Then this Mannor came to Warner , whose Successor John Warner was Sheriff of Kent in the twentyeth year of Henry the sixth : and 't is probable by some empaled Coats in the Church windows , that the Heir General of Vaughan was married to Warner ; but the two Statues upon an Altar-tomb in the Church , likewise ( which the Injuries of Time and impious Sacriledge together , have almost demolished , ) belonged to Sir Simon de Vaughan , and were when Mr. Robert Glover made his Collection of the Kentish Monuments , entire , after the Coheirs of Warner wedded to Jo. Herne and Denham divided his Inheritance at this place , and upon the partition , this accrued to Herne , and Christopher Herne Esquire in the twenty first year of Henry the eighth , passed it away to William Walsingham Esquire , who upon his decease gave it to his Son and heir Sir Francis Walsingham , principal Secretary of Estate to Q. Elizabeth , who about the middle of this Princesses Government alienated it to Mr. John Gellibrand from which Name and Family the possession is at this instant it came down to Mr. John Gellibrand of London .

Chellesfield in the Hundred of Rokesley , afforded in elder time both Seat and Sirname to a Family of principal Account , who obtained a Market to this their Mannor weekly on the Monday , and Simon de Chellesfield upon his Plea of prescription before the Judges Itinerant in the seventh year of Edward the first , had an Allowance of it , and William de Chelsfield had a Charter warren to his Lands in Chelsfield , Shoram , Nockholt , and Orpington , in the twelfth year of Edward the first ; from Chelsfield it passed away to Otho Lord Grandison , who paid respective Aid for this Mannor by the sixth part of a Knights Fee , at the making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third : but there it had but a frail abode , for Sir Thomas de Grandison this mans Son , conveyed it over by Sale to Richard Lord Poynings , whose Daughter and Heir Eleanor matched to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland ; and in his Line was the Right of it for some Descents interwoven , till in the Reign of Henry the seventh , it was by Sale resigned up to James Walsingham Esquire , whose Son Sir Edmund Walsingham alienated it to Giles , in the Reign of Edward the sixth , which Giles descended from Giles of Lords in Shelvich , where for many years before they had been planted ; and from Giles , about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth , it came over by purchase to Captain Henry Lee of London , who going out in Sisters and Coheirs , it is now come by two of them to Serjeant John Clerk of Huntington-shire , the principal Possessor , and Mr. Thomas Norton of London .

Ferneborough is but a Chappel of Ease , devoted to the honour of St. Giles , but belongs to the Mother-Church of Chelsfield , which is dedicated to St. James , as appears by the Records of the Church of Rochester : It was a principal Seat of the Lord Grandison , who made this the Head of their Barony ; William de Grandison held it at his death , which was in the ninth year of Edward the third ; * * Otho de Grandison obtained a the grant of Market to Ferneborough , in the eighteenth of Edw. the first , which was renewed to Hen. Earl of Lancaster in the eighteenth year of Edward the third , and the grant of a Fair added at the Feast of S. Giles the Eve , and Eight dayes following . Otho Lord Grandison this mans Son , obtained a Charter of Free Warren to it in the eighteenth year of Edward the third ; but long after this it did not remain linked to the Inheritance of this Family , for in the Reign of Richard the second , I find Fleming invested in the Possession , whose Tenure was very transitory ; for not long after by Purchase it was brought into the Demeasn of Petley , from whom by as swift a Fatalitie it went away to Peche of Lullingston , which Family determined in Sir John Peche , in the Reign of Henry the seventh , who dying Issueless , Elizabeth his Sister and heir , brought this , and a spatious Inheritance to her husband John Hart Esquire , from whom M. William Hart now of Lullingston Esquire is lineally extracted ; and in right of this Alliance is at this present entituled to the Possession and Signorie of Ferneborough .

There is a third Mannor in this Parish called Godington , which was anciently the Habitation of a Family which was represented to the world under that Name ; Simon de Godington paid respective Aid for his Mannor of Godington at the making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third ; ( as the Book of Aid informs us , ) and after this Family expired at this place , Richard Lord Poynings became Lord of the Signorie of it , from whom with Eleanor his Daughter and Heir it went over to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland , but did not long fix in that Family ; for , for almost two hundred years last past , the Possession hath been constantly united to the Name of Haddon , a Family of principal Account in this Track , as may appear by their Arms , viz. A Leg couped and wounded , which are Registered in the old Rolls and Ordinaries of Kentish Armorie , alwayes with this addition , Haddon of Kent , and sometimes of Godington in Kent .

Hewat is another small Mannor in Cheslfield , One Jeffrey de Hewat was possest of it in the Time of Henry the third , ut apparet ex Charta sine Data . which was for many Descents the Petleys of Down originally , from whom it devolved to a Cadet of that Family , who planted himself at Moulsoe in this Parish , and there is a Deed in the hands of Mr. Thomas Petley of Vielston , of John Coldigate of Coldigate , a Farm in Halsted , which bears Date from the eleventh year of Henry the fourth ; to which one William Petley of Chelsfield is Teste . After it had been resident for sundry Generations in this Branch of Petley , which sprouted out from those of Down the Title in that Age which ushered in this , was by Sale from Edward Petley transferred to Mr. Thomas Petley of Vilston in Shorham ; another Branch shot out from the principal Stem of the Petleys at Down , and he left it to his second Son Mr. Ralph Petley of Riverhead in Sevenoke , not long since deceased , whose Heir ( who is Proprietary of this place ) is at this instant in his Minoritie .

Northsted is situated likewise in Chelsfield , and in the reign of Edward the third , confessed a Family called Francis for its Proprietaries ; Simon Francis held it at his death , which was in the thirty second year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 33. and acquired it by Purchase of Otho de Grandison , who held this and Chelsfield , as appears by the Book of Aid , in the twentieth year of the former Prince ; but about the beginning of Henry the fourth , this Family had surrendred the possession of this Mannor to Vuedall or Udall a Noble Familie , and Masters of much Land both in Surrey , Sussex , and Hant-shire ; Sir John de Vuedall was one of the Knights who was with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock ; Sir Peter D'Vuedall sat as Baron in Parliament the eighth and ninth of Edward the second ; Nicholas Vuedall was Constable of Windsor under Edward the third , John Vuedall was Sheriff of Sussex and Surrey , the second , fourth , and seventh years of Henry the fifth ; and again the first , fifth , and twelfth year of Henry the sixth ; William Vuedall was Sheriff of Sussex , and Surrey , the eighth of Henry the sixth , and he in the sixth year of that Princes Government conveyed it to John Shelley of Bexley , whose Successor William Shelley about the latter end of Henry the eighth , passed it away to Mr. John Leonard of Chevening , whose great Grand-child Henry Lord Dacres not many years since conveyed it to the Lady Wolrich , who upon her decease setled it on her Kinsman Mr. ....... Skeggs , of the County of Huntington .

Chelsfield had a Market obtained by Otho de Grandison in the eighteenth year of Edw. the first , to be held there weekly on the Monday , and a Fair to be observed there yearly , by the space of three dayes at the Feast of Saint James .

Choriton in the Hundred of Folk-stone , was the Inheritance of an ancient Family called Scotton ; Robert Scotton , who was Sheriff of Kent the seventh , eighth , ninth , and tenth years of Edward the first lived here , and held his Shrievalty at this place , and was of eminent Rank in this Track ; for he was Lieutenant of Dover Castle under the Prince abovesaid , and held this Mannor under the Estimate of a whole Knights Fee of the Lord of Folkstone : But before the latter end of Edward the second , this Family had diserted the Possession of this place , and surrendered their Interest here to Valoigns ; whose Time was very brief in the enjoyment of it ; for Waretius de Valoigus dying without Issue Male , this Mannor accompanied his Daughter and Co-heir , and was upon the division of his Estate linked with much other Land to the Demeasn of her Husband Sir Thomas Fogge , who was Knight of the Shire for Kent several times under the Scepter of Edward the third , and Richard the second ; Sir Francis Fogge another of this Family , lies entombed in Cheriton Church with his portraicture Cross-legged affixed to his Sepulchral Stone , which implies that he had obleiged himself by some vow to assert the Cross and Sepulchre of our Saviour ; finally , after the Proprietie of this place , had by the Current of many Descents flowed in this Family , it devolved to George Fogge Esquire , who about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth passed it away to Mr. Henry Brockman , Grand-father to Mr. James Brockman Esquire , the instant Lord of the Fee .

Enbroke is another Mannor in Cheriton , which in the twentieth year of Henry the third was the Patrimony of Peter de Alkam , and after his Descendants were Extinguished at this place , it came by the ordinary fate of Purchase to Enbroke , who having erected a Mansion upon the Demeasn , it is probable adopted it into his own Sirname , and called it Enbroke ; John de Enbroke held it in the twentieth year of Edw. the third , and paid an auxiliarie supply for it ( as appears by the book of Aid ) at making the Black Prince Knight ; Michael Enbroke was a great Benefactor to the Fabrick of Choriton Church in the time of Rich. the second , and it is probable those antient Tombs yet visible related to these two , or some of this Family , the last of which was John Enbroke , who flourished here in the Reign of Henry the fourth ; after whose departure it came to be enjoyed by Thorold or Torold , and Walter Torold conveyed it to Nicholas Evering in the seventeenth year of Henry the sixth , in which Family the Possession was permanent and constant , until that Age which was circumscribed within our Grand-fathers remembrance , and then it was alienated to Mr. John Honywood of Elmsted , Ancestor to the instant Proprietary John Honywood of the same place Esquire .

The Tombs in the Church adorned with several Portraictures and Sculptures of Persons deceased , related to these two formerly recited Families , which the rude hand of Time hath crushed into the disorder of so great a Ruine , that now even the Monuments and Sepulchres themselves have found an enterment in their own Dust and Rubbish .

Godinton in Great Chart was an ancient Mansion of a Family of that Sirname , Place Godinton Court Wurthin , Singleton , and Nin House in Page 105. after Chelmington . Simon de Godinton lived here , as appears by very ancient Deeds , and so did Lucas de Godinton likewise ; John de Godinton is portraied in Coat Armour in an ancient window in the North-Isle of the Church , having an aspect upon a Crucifix in the same Glass placed above him , accompanied with eleven others of eminent note in this Track depicted in the same posture with him ; and this John had Issue William de Godinton , who flourished here , as appears by his Deed in the fourth year of Richard the second , but before the beginning of Henry the fourth , had passed away his Interest here to Richard , Simon , and John Champneys , and they in the sixth year of the abovesaid Prince conveyed it to Thomas Goldwell , Son of William de Goldwell , and he determined in a Daughter and Heir called Agnes , who was affianced to Thomas Tooke of Bere , by whom he had Issue Ralph Tooke , Richard and John ; Ralph went into Hertfordshire , Richard planted himself at Bere by Dover , and John Tooke by Donation from his Father was invested in Godinton , and continued ever since an eminent Seat of that Family , and is at present the residence of that worthy person Captain Nicholas Tooke , descended from * * See Fox Acts and Mon. pag. 182. Holinshed Chro. pag. 2. Stows Chr. pag. 103. Sieur de Toque or Toc , who is recorded in the Rolls of those who entred England with William the Conqueror , who hath so industriously and elegantly cultivated and improved our English Vines , that the wine pressed and extracted out of their Grapes seems not onely to paralell , but almost to out-rival that of France .

Court Wurthin is a place of good Account in Great Chart , which likewise afforded a residence to Possessors of that Sirname , William de Wurtin by his Deed without Date demises Land which lay circumscribed within his Mannor of Wurtin , to Quikemanus de Bere ; Henry de Wurtin is in the Register of those twelve eminent persons who are depicted kneeling in a Glass window in this Church ; the last of this Name at this place was Thomas de Wurtin , who about the beginning of Henry the fourth passed it away to Thomas Goldwell , by whose Heir General it came with Godinton to Thomas Tooke of Bere , who setled it on his third Son Mr. John Tooke ; from whom it is successively by Descent come down to my Noble Friend Captain Nicholas Tooke Esquire .

It is observable , that there is a Coat of Augmentation united to the Paternal Coat of this Family , which the Tookes of Godinton bear in the first quarter , viz. Argent upon a Cheveron between three Greyhounds-Heads crased , Sables , three Silver Plates , which was given to John Tooke by Henry the seventh , as a reward for his diligence in that Embassie in which he was employed by that Prince ; the Plates were an Embleme of his Guerdon or Salary , and the Creyhounds-Heads a Symbol of his Celeritie .

Singleton is another eminent Mansion in this Parish , which had owners of that Sirname , and bore in ancient Armorials , as appears by their Deeds , Two Cheverons between three Martletts ; Henry de Singleton is one of those twelve eminent Persons that are depicted kneeling in Coat Armour in a window in Great Chart Church , and John Singleton this mans Successor was Justice of the Peace for this County in the Reign of Richard the second , and Henry the fourth , as appears by an old Roll of the Justices of those times collected by Thin : But after this mans Exit , the Title was not long wedded to this Family , for about the latter end of Henry the sixth , I find the Edinghams or Enghams to be by Purchase entituled to the Possession , wh● added much to the Lustre of the ancient Pile , by adorning its Fabrick with increase of Building , and contniued proprietaries of it untill the beginning of King James ; and then it was passed away by Sir Edward Engham , to Richard Brown Esquire , a Cadet or younger Branch of the Browns of Betsworth Castle in Surrey , from whom it descended to his Grandchild Mr. Richard Brown , who being very lately deceased , it is now in behalf of Dower , the Habitation of his Widow Mrs. Elizabeth Brown , Daughter of Sir William Andrews of Lathbury in the County of Buckingham .

Nin-House shall not pass without some mention , because it was the residence of John at Nin , who is in the Register of those twelve Worthies who are pourtraied kneeling in Coat Armour in an ancient window in this Parish Church ; whose posteritie enjoyed it untill the beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was alienated to Sharpe , and Wil. Sharpe mingled with the Ashes of his five Wives ( as the Inscription on his Sepulchral Stone instructs us ) rests in the nethermost part of the South Isle of this Church , and as the Date endorsed on his Tombe informs us , deceased in the year of Grace 1499. and from him did the Proprietie of this Mansion by the Devolution of sundry Descents come down to Mr ........ Sharpe lately deceased , whose Heirs do still enjoy it .

Chevening in the Hundred of Codsheath , had owners of that Name , in times of higher Assent , who were of no dispicable account . Adam de Chevening was one of the grand Assise in the time of King John , and had his residence here , and likewise derived his Name from hence ; and the heirs of William de Chevening paid respective Aid for the Mannor of Chevening by the half part of a Knights Fee , ( which Adam de Chevening formerly held of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ) in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight ; when the Chevenings went away from the Possession of this place , the Family of Delapole , who were Lords of the Mannor of Pool in Southfleet , were Seated in the Inheritance , for John de Lapole held it in the tenth year of Henry the sixth ; but long after this did it not continue constant to this Name , for by Sale the whole Demise was put into the Tenure of Isley , and William Isley held it at his death , which was in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , Rot. Esc. 34. and in the Demeasn of this Family was the Inheritance folded up , till Sir Henry Isley in the Reign of Edward the sixth fixed the Proprietie of it by Sale in John Lennard Esquire , who lies enterred in Chevening Church ; in right of which original Grant , Francis now Lord Dacres his great Grandchild is invested in the present Inheritance of it .

Chepsted in this Parish , was so called from the Market of Fish there long since used ; for there such as imported fish from Rye on the Sea-Coast , thence called Rypers , made their Stage , and on fresh horses carried it to London . Just as Chepe-Side , and other places beginning with Chepe , give Addition and Distinction from other Towns of like Name where Markets are kept . That this Mannor had Proprietaries of this Name is evident , for John de Chepsted Son of Cohn de Chepsted paid respect of Aid for this Mannor which was held by Knights Service , of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight ; the Heir of Chepsted ( as appears by an old Pedigree in the hands of Sir Sackvil Crow ) was matched to John de Bore , and the Heir of Bore to Stockett , who passed away Chepsted about the latter end of Henry the sixth , to William Isley Esquire , whose unhappy Successor Sir Henry Isley being attainted in the time of Q. Mary , it escheated to the Crown , where it hath ever since been resident .

Morants Court lies in Chevening likewise , and contributed both Seat and Sirname to a Knightly Family who were Proprietaries of it . King Edward the second in the fourteenth year of his Reign granted Charter-warren to Jurdan , and William de Morant in all their Lands in Chevening , Shoram , Otfood , Brasted , Sundridge , and Chidingston ; William de Morant was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth and thirteenth year of Edw. the third , and had Issue Sir Thomas Morant , whose heir General brought this Seat to Peckham , in which Family the Title lay couched till our Fathers Memory , and then it was demised to Blackswell , who some few years since hath by Deed and other Conveyance setled his Right in it on Mr. Watson of the County of Oxford .

Chiselhurst in the Hundred of Rokesley , hath several places within the confines of it , of signal Account . The first is Scadbery , which had Owners of that Sirname , which about the twentieth of Edward the third , were extinguished ; for then John de Scadbery deceased without Issue male , so that this ancient Seat devolved to be the Patrimony of Osmund de Walsingham , descended from the Knightly Family of Walsingham in Norfolk , who matched with Ann his sole Daughter and Heir , and having planted himself in this County , he began to sprout out and flourish into a Series of such worthy Successors , that this Family was justly registred in the Catalogue of those who were esteemed the most ancient and eminent of this County , having in this latter Decursion of Time , been for six Descents Knights ; which , that I may the better represent to the Reader , the Splendor of this Family I shall destinctly name ; the first was Sir Thomas Walsingham , who was born the third year of Henry the fifth , and he had Issue Sir James Walsingham , who was Sheriff of Kent the twelfth year of Henry the seventh , whose Son and Heir was Sir Edmund Walsingham , who was Lieutenant of the Tower twenty four years , and he had Issue Sir Tho. Kinsman to Sir Francis Walsingham the famous Secretary of Estate to Queen Elizabeth ; Sir Thomas Walsingham was Son and Heir of Sir Thomas above mentioned , and he had Issue Sir Thomas Walsingham , who is the instant Proprietary of Scadbery .

Frogpool is another ancient Seat in this Parish , which in Henry the thirds Reign confessed the Signory of a Family called Barbur , Thomas le Barbur obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands in at Chiselhurst in the thirty eighth of the above named Prince . But before the latter end of Edward the second , this Family was moldered away , and then it came to be possest by a Family called Cressell , who were Lords of much Land about Hartley , Faukham , and other places in that Territory , and bore for their Coat Armour , as appears depicted in ancient Coloured Glasse in Chiselhurst Church , Sables A Fesse Argent between three Chaplets Or ; John de Cressell in an old Survey of Rochester is remembred to have been a liberall Benefactor to this Church in the Reign of Edward the third , and from the Government of that Prince , does the Age of the above mentioned Coat seem to commence , and this is the Reason , why another John Cressell of this Family , is in the seventh year of Henry the fifth recorded in the Register of those , Qui portabant Arma antiqua . Finally , after the Propriety of this noted Mansion had continued so many Descents wrapped up in the Patrimony of this Family , it was about the latter end of Henry the eighth transmitted by Sale to Dyneley , and Sir John Dyneley in our Remembrance demised his Concernment in it to Mr. William Watkins , to whose Care and industrious Expence , the additional Building annexed to the ancient Structure , does owe its originall ; and he having thus improved it , transmitted his Right in it by sale some few yeers since to Mr. Philip Warwick .

Chiddingston in the Hundred of Somerden hath the Addition of Cohbam , as being the Inheritance of the Lords Cobham of Sterborough Castle ; Henry de Cobham had in the ninth year of King John a Charter for all his Lands in Kent , of which these at Chiddingston with the two little Mannors of Reynsley and Tihurst : In Ages of a lower Step , Reginald Lord Cobham , who was summoned to Parliament , as Lord Cobham , of Sterborough in the twenty second year of Edward the third , died possest of them in the thirty fifth year of that Prince , Parte prima Rot. Esc . Num. 62. And here the Right continued , till in Thomas Lord Cobham this mans great Grandchild , the Male Line failed and resolved into Ann Cobham , who was matched to Edward Borough Lord of Gainsborough in the County of Lincoln , whose Grandchild Thomas Lord Borough , some fifty years since passed away his Right in Chiddingstone , Reynsley , and Tihurst , which had devolved to him by his Grandmother to Stretfield ; whose Son deceasing without Issue Male , they became the Inheritance of four Daughters and Coheirs matched to Dillingham , Shetterden , Powell and Taylor , only Reynsley before his Death was sold to Mr. Christopher Knight , whose Heir does now possesse it .

Burwash Court in this Parish was the Patrimony of the Lords Burgherst , by vulgar Depravation of the Name , called Burwash ; Stephen de Burwash had a Charter of Free-warren to all his Lands in Kent , in the first year of Edward the second , Robert de Burgherst or Burwarsh possest it at his Death , which was in the thirty third year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 41. and his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash in the forty third year of Edward the third , by Deed passes away much of his Land in Warwick-shire , and Kent , to Walter de Paveley and Matilda his Wife , in which this lay involved ; from Paveley it came down by Purchase to John de Bore , Trivet and Vaux whose Successors conveyed Burwash to John Alphew in the Reign of Henry the sixth ; Alphews Coheirs were marryed to ....... Brograve , and Sir Robert Read Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the Time of Henry the seventh , who in his Wifes Right carried away Burwash as parcell of her Dower ; but this man determining likewise in Daughters and Coheirs , Katharine one of them was wedded to Sir Thomas Willoughby , second Son to Christopher Willoughbie of Eresbie , which Sir Thomas was likewise Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , Eliza. was matched to Sir Tho. Totihurst , and a third was married to Th. Wotton Esquire ; Sir Thomas Willoughbie Esquire , Son and Heir of Sir Tho. who joyned in a Fine with his two Uncles even now mentioned , in the sixth year of Edw. the sixth , and so by a mutuall Concurrence with them , their united Concernment in Burwash was passed away to Mr. John and Mr. Robert Seyliard of Delaware ; in whose Name and Revenue the Title and Propriety of this place hath ever since kept so permanent an Aboad , that it is still the Inheritance of Mr. John Seyliard now of Delaware Esquire .

Bore Place with the Mannor of Milbroke and Boresell , was formerly the Inheritance as high as Henry the third of a Family which assumed its Sirname from hence , and was called Bore , and likewise took in to his Arms a Bore for his Cognisance ; in this Family the Right of these places successively dwelt , till John Bore in the Time of Henry the sixth transplanted his Interest in them by Sale into John Alphew , by whose Coheir they came over to her Husband Sir Robert Read , and from him they went away by Katharine one of his Coheirs to Sir Thomas Willoughbie , whose great Grandchild Percivall Willoughbie , who having matched with Bridget , one of the four Coheirs of Sir Percival Willoughbie of Notinghamshire , devested himself of his Title to both these places , to improve his Interest in that County , and not many years since alienated them to Mr. Bernard Hide of London Esquire , one of the Commissioners of the Custome House to the late King Charles , whose Grandchild Mr. Bernard Hide is upon his Fathers late Decease now enterred into their Possession of Milbroke and Boreplace : But Boresell now vulgarly called Bowsell , was sold to Edmund Thomas of Whitley neer Sevenoke , who is now in the enjoyment of it .

Chilham in the Hundred of Felborough , was by William the Conquerour , as the Pages of Doomsday Book instruct us , assigned to Fulbert de Dover under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee , for his Assistance and Association to John de Fiennes in the Guard of Dover Castle , which eminent employment thus imposed upon him , did induce him to wave his originall Sirname of Lucy , and assume one derived from his Office , yet Richard de Lucy this mans Son , did it seems take up again his primitive Sirname , for when King John by his Charter in the sixteenth year of his Reign , Cart. 24. Num. 37. restores to Rose de Dover , called in the Latin Record Rohesia , the Castle of Chilham with all its Appendages , he calls it there the Land which was her Grandfather Richard de Lucy's Inheritance : This Rose de Dover was sometimes written in old Deeds de Lucy , in Relation to which she sealed with three Pikes , * * Fishes called Lucii in Latin . she matched with Richard base Son to King John , by whom she had two Daughters and Coheirs , Lora married to William de Marmion , and Isabell espoused to David de Strabolgie Earl of Athol , who in her Right became Lord of the Castle and Mannor of Chilham , and transmitted it to his Son John Earl of Atholl , who for his frequent Acts of Hostility and Rebellion against Edward the first , in his Contest with the Scots , being by the Fate of War made Captive , was at Canterbury hanged on a Gibbet fifty Foot high , that he might be as eminent in his Punishment , as he was before conspicuous in his Crimes , and being cut down halfe alive , had his Head struck off , and his Trunk cast into the Fire , a Savage Manner of Punishment , and hardly heard of before amongst us ; upon his Shipwrack and Confiscation of Estate , it rested in the Demeasne of the Crown , till King Edward the second , in the fifth year of his Reign , as appears Parte prima Pat. Edwardi secundi , granted the Castle and Mannor of Chilham to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , who quickly after lost it by his Perfidiousnesse and Disloyalty to that Prince , so that it returned to the Crown ; and the abovesaid Prince , as is evident by Pat. 15. & 16. Edwardi secundi , restores the Castle and Mannor with all the Goods and Chattels in it , which belonged to Bartholomew Badelesmer , to David de Strabolgie , Grandchild to the first David , for Life only , which upon his Expiration was again united to the Royal Revenue , and in the third year of King Edward the thirds Government , it was by Patent granted to Bartholomew Badelesmer , Son to the abovesaid Lord Bartholomew ; and he dying in the twelfth year of Edward the third , left it to his Son Giles Badelesmer , who deceased without Issue , and so his four Sisters became his Coheirs ; one of which called Margaret , by matching with William Lord Roos of Hamlake , united the Castle and Mannor of Chilham , which accrued to her upon the Division of the Estate to his Revenue , from whom successively it did devolve by a continued Rivulet of Descent , to his Successor Thomas Lord Rosse , who asserting the Cause and Quarrel of the House of Lancaster , was in a Battle commenced between Edmund Beaufort Duke of Somerset , and John Nevill Marquesse Montacute made Captive to the Partisans of the House of York , and in the third year of Edward the fourth , sealed his Faith to that Cause which he contended for , with the Losse of his Head , which was struck off at Newcastle ; but it seems the Mannor and Castle of Chilham , was before this untimely Fate of his , upon his being engaged in Armes with the Complices of the House of Lancaster , by Edward the fourth , in the first year of his Reign granted to Sir John Scott of Scotts Hall , one of his Privy Counsel , Pat. Anno pri. Edwardi quarti Parte 4. Memb. 24 , but it was but for Life , for afterwards it returned to the Crown , and rested there till Henry the eighth by royal Concession planted the Propriety in Sir Thomas Cheyney , who inhabited here when Leland made his Kentish Perambulation , which was in the Beginning of the Reign of that Prince , from whom it came down to his Son Henry , created Baron Cheyney by Queen Elizabeth , who having by Riot and Profusion and other exorbitant Excesses , wasted a noble and plentifull Patrimony , in the tenth year of that Queens Government , alienated the Mannor and Castle of Chilham to Sir Thomas Kempe , whose Son Sir Thomas Kempe concluded in four Daughters and Coheirs , Dorothy married to Sir John Cutts , Ann matched to Sir Thomas Chichley , Amy wedded to Sir Henry Skipwith , and Mary espoused to Sir Dudley Diggs , who being concerned in this Estate , the three first by a joynt Concurrence , passed away their Right to Sir Dudley Diggs and his Lady , who was Master of the Rolls in the year 1636 , and a great Assertor of his Countryes Liberty in the worst of times , when the Sluces of Prerogative were opened , and the Banks of the Law were almost overwhelmed with the Innundations of it ; from whom it is descended to his Son Mr. ...... Diggs Esquire , in whom the Propriety and Interest of this Mannor and Castle does still continue .

Easture in this Parish , was the Seat of a Family which was known by that Sirname , and in several ancient Deeds , which are not bounded or limited with any Date , there is mention of John de Easture , who lived here in the Reign of Henry the third and Edward the first ; after this Name was vanished , the Apulderfields of Otterpley in Challock , a younger Branch of the Apulderfields of Bedmancore , were invested in the Possession ; and of this Family was Henry de Apulderfield , who was Sheriff of Kent in the fifty first year of Edward third , and likewise Proprietary of this place ; but when this Family resolved into a Daughter and Heir called Isabell , she by matching with John Idelegh , who had a large Income about Mepham , Chalk , and Cobham , cast it into the Inheritance of that Family , where it had not long remained , but a Vicissitude like the former carryed it by Agnes the Female Heir of William Idelegh to Christopher Ellenden , who was Master of a good Estate about Seasalter and Damian Bleane , which Name not many years after shrunk into a Daughter and Heir likewise called Mary , descended from Thomas Ellenden , who was about the Reign of Henry the seventh matched to Edward Thwaits , so that in her right that Family became setled in the Inheritance of this place , and remained in the Possession , till in that Age we stile our Grandfathers , it was by Sale translated into Morton , descended from the ancient Family of the Mortons of Millbourn St. Andrews in the County of Dorset , whose Successor Mr. George Morton not many years since passed away his Interest in it by Sale to his Uncle John Finch Baron of Fordwich , and Lord Keeper of the great Seal in the year 1640.

Youngs is another Mannor in Chilham , which by Deeds of a very high gradation in time , which step into the Reign of Edward the second , appears to be the Possession of a Family of that Appellation ; and when that was decayed and worn out at this Place , the Beverleys who were a Family which had been planted at Tancrey Island in Fordwich ever since the latter end of the Reign of Edward the third were ingraffed in the Inheritance , and continued by an undissolved Chain of several Ages seated in the Proprietie of it , till George Beverley the last of this Name at this place in our Grandfathers Remembrance , demised his right in it by Sale to George Barley , where the Title found no long abode , for he passed away his Interest to Fleet , extracted from the Fleets of Fleet in the Isle of Thanet , who suddenly after alienated it to Shepheard , from which Family almost in our Remembrance it was by Purchase brought over to own the Signorie of Sir Dudley Diggs , who upon his decease transmitted it to his eldest Son Mt. ....... Diggs Esquire , in whom the present Proprietie of it is fixed .

Dane Court is a fourth Mannor within the Limits of Chilham , not to be waved or declined in this present Survey : It was anciently the Patrimony of Thomas de Garwinton of Welle in Littlebourne , and he held it , as appears by ancient Court Rolls , in the Reign of Edward the first , and Edward the second , whose great Grandchild William Garwinton of Welle in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , dying without Issue , upon a serious debate and winnowing of Collateral Alliances , Joan Wife of Richard Haute was found to be his Cousin and Heir , and so this place became in her Right the Inheritance of this Family ; but this mans Son called Richard , likewise not long after deceasing without Issue male , Margerie his only Daughter , who was matched to Will . Izaack , about the latter end of Henry the seventh , became his Heir , and so it fell under the Jurisdiction of that Name , and remained entwined with their Demeasn , till it about the beginning of the Government of Q. Elizabeth , was by Edward Izaack sold to Hales ; from which Family in that Age our Fathers lived in , by the same conveyance it went away to Spracklin , issued out from the Spracklins of St. Lawrence in Thanet , in which Name the Possession is at this instant resident .

There is a place in this Parish on the South-side of the River stretched out on a long green Hill , which the Common People ( who bear the greatest sway in corrupting of Names ) call Jelliberies Grave . The Historie it self will evidence the original of this denomination . It was about this place that Julius Caesar respited his farther remove or advance into the bowels of this Island , upon intelligence received that his Fleet riding in the road at Lymen not far distant , had been much afflicted and shattered by a Tempest ; whereupon he returned , and left his Army for ten dayes , encamped upon the brow of this Hill , till he had new careen'd and rigg'd his Navy ; but in his march from hence was so vigoriously encountered by the Britons , that he lost with many others Leberius Durus Tribune and Marshal of the Field , whose Obsequies being performed with solemnities answerable to the eminence of his Place , and Command , each Souldier as was then Customary , bringing a certain quantity of earth to improve his place of Sepulture into more note then ordinarie , caused it so much to exceed the proportion of others elswhere ; and from hence it assumed the name of Julaber , whom other vulgar heads , ignorant of the truth of the story , have fancied to have been a Giant , and others of them have dreamed to have been some Enchanter or Witch .

It is probable the Romanes built something here at Chilham , for when Sir Dudly Diggs digged down the ruines of the old Castle , to make space for the foundation of that exact and elegant House which he there erected , there was the Basis of a more ancient building discovered , and many Aeconomical vessels of the Romane antique mode traced out in that place , besides the Keeper of the Castle , which is yet preserved , hath a Senate-House adorned and furnished with Seats round about , shaped out of an excellent durable Stone .

Oldwives Leas is the last place in the Inventorie of those Mannors which lie within the Limits of Chilham . It was in elder Orthographie written Old-woods Leas , as being indeed the Patrimony of a Family so called , as appears both by Deeds without Date , and of a more modern Constitution , and continued Lords of it untill the Reign of Henry the sixth , and then the Daughter and Heir Generall of John Oldwood annexed it to the Inheritance of Paine , in which Family it was without any pause or interruption resident almost untill our Fathers memory , and then this Name was entombed in four Daughters and Coheirs ; two of which by the first Wife were matched to Cob , and Philipot of Feversham , and the two other which were the Issue by the second Wife were espoused to Petit and Prude ; but this upon the division of the Estate into portions augmented the Revenue of Cob , and is still for ought I know wraped up in the Demeasn of the Heirs and Descendants of this Family .

Chilham by the influence and procurement of Alexander de Balioll , and Isabell his wife had the grant of a Market to be held weekly on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly by the space of three dayes , viz. the Vigil , the day of the Assumption of our Lady , and the day after in the ninteenth year of Edward the first , which grant was renewed and confirmed to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer in the ninth year of Edward the second , as appears Pat. 9. Edw. secundi . Num. 57.

Chillenden in the Hundred of Eastry , gave Sirname to a Family so stiled , and there is a recital in Deeds very ancient , which extract their Original from the time of Henry the third , of John de Chillenden , Edward and William de Chillenden , who had an Interest in this place in Ages of a lower step ; the Bakers who were Lords of Caldham by Capell , were in the Possession of this place , and after they were gone out , the Family of Hunt about the Government of Henry the sixth by Purchase were setled in the Inheritance ; and here the Title for two or three Descents was Successively permanent , and then the same inconstant Revolution which carried it to Hunt , wafted it over from that Name by Sale to Gason , which Family I find to be of no despiscable Antiquitie about Ickham and that Track ; and when it had for some years been linked to their Revenue , it was for some two or three Ages since alienated to Hamon , Ancestor to Anthony Hamon Esquire , into whom by original Descent , the hereditarie Right of this place is at this present collected .

Chistlet in the Hundred of Whilstaple , was given to the Sea of Canterbury , by Ethelbert King of Kent , under the notion of Cistelet ; and here the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury erected a Magnificent Mansion which they called Ford ; and empaled a certain proportion of Land into the form of a Park , as if they had judged it meet to justifie the first Donation of this Christian Prince , who by election and design intended it for a chosen portion of Earth , devoted to the support of this Arch-Bishoprick .

Clive formerly Cloves-Hoo , lies in the Hundred of Shamell , called so from its situation either on some elevated precipice , or else its being cloven or rent in some part of it , from the Continent by water . It was in the Conquerours time called Bishops-Clive ; and in the Pages of Doomsday Book it is thus rated , Cliva est Manerium Monachorum , & est de vestitu eorum & in T. E. R. se defendebat pro II. Sullings & Dimidio & est appretiatum XVI . However the place at present may be represented obscure and despiscable , being shrunk from its former Glory , yet in those Ages wherein the Saxons flourished , it was ennobled with several Synods which were held here , both National and Provincial , wherein several Rules and Constitutions were enacted and established both to fetter up the Exorbitances of of the Clergie within the Channels and shores of the Ordinances and Decretals Ecclesiastical , and likewise to empale the Irregularities of the Laity , who then began to be debauched into disorder and excess , within the restraints and boundaries of the Laws temporal : I shall now exactly unweave them as they are Registred by the learned Spelman in his exact Collection of the Councels held before the Conquest : The first was held in the year 742. under King Ethelbald , and Arch-Bishop Cuthbert . The second under Ethelbald King of Mercia , accompanied with the principal of his Nobilitie , and Arch-Bishop Cuthbert invested with his Bishops , Abbots , and other Ecclesiastical Persons , in the year 747. The third was celebrated under Arch-Bishop Athelard in the year 798. The fourth Synod or Councell was convened at this place under Kenulf King of Mercians , and Athelard Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in in the year 800. The fifth was called together under the abovesaid King Kenulf , and Arch-Bishop Athelard , in the year 803. The sixth was assembled in the third year of Bernulfe King of the Mercia , in the year 822. that Prince himself with Vlfred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , being both present and president at it and over it : The result of this eminent Synod was to rescue and restore to the Patrimony of the Church-Lands called Haerghes , Hereforddinglond , Gedding and Combe ; which by the Sacrilegious violence of some impious men , even in those times had been ravished away from the Ecclesiastical Demeasn . Their eighth and last was a small Synodal Convention collected into a Body under the above mentioned King Bernulf , and Arch-Bishop Ulfred , in the year of Grace , 824. And it is observable , that in these Assemblies , and in other Recorded by Sir Henry Spelman ; either the King immediately , or else some Thane , ( which was a Dignity equivalent to our English Baron ; ) who did Personate the Prince , was joyntly President with the Bishop ; that as one took Cognisance of the Affaires of the Church , so the other managed the Concernments and Interest of the State ; and this was done with much of Reason and Prudence in the original Constitution of these Synods , for the mingling the divided Interests of the Laitie , and Clergie together ; and making them mutually to interfere , extinguished all jealousie and Emulation between them , and by consequence all those black effects and inconveniences , which are still the Retinue to those two Furies ; for we cannot be so Citizens of the Common-wealth , but we must be Sons of the Church ; nor so Sons of the Church , ( the Temporall and Spirituall Interest are so complicated together ) but we must in some relation be Citizens of the Common-wealth ; and what causeth annoyance to the one , creates disturbance to the other ; for like Hippocrates Twins they laugh and mourn , and live and die together : But to proceed , when this Mannor had for many Ages been incorporated with the Inheritance of the Church , Henry the eighth judging the Clergie grown too Luxuriant in a wide Revenue , prun'd off this , and Malingden a Mannor which was ever an Appendage to Cliffe , as two superfluous Excrescencies ; and engraffed them again in the Royall Demeasn ; but suddenly after , Cliff was by this Prince granted to George Brooke Lord Cobham , and he left it to his Son Sir William Brooke Lord Cobham , who enstated it by entaile on his second Son George Brooke , and in Defailance of Issue male , by him surviving , to the next Heir male of the Name ; after this man was beheaded at Winchester , in the second year of King James , this devolved to his Son Sir William Brooke , who dying without Issue male , in the year 1643. Sir Jo. Brooke now Lord Cobham became his Heir .

Malingden was by Queen Elizabeth granted to William Ewens , who quickly after this Concession , transferred his Interest in it by Sale to Brown , from whom by as sudden a Decursion the Title by Purchase went in to Sompner , who ( in Times which almost attaque our Remembrance , ) sold it away to Hills .

Perry Court in Cliffe , was always a Limb of the Revenue of the Family of Cobham , and so for many Hundred years continued , till Henry Brooke Lord Cobham being wound up in that fatal and mysterious Design of the noble but infortunate Sir Walter Rawleigh , in the Time of King James , forfeited this to the Crown ; but this Seat was by the abovesaid Prince , after the Death of Frances Widow to the abovesaid Henry Lord Brook , granted to Robert Cecill Earl of Salisbury in Reversion , who married Elizabeth Brook this Lords Sister , and his Son Will . Earl of Salisbury Knight of the Garter , and Captain of the Band of Pentioners to his late Majesty , passed it away by Sale to Bernard Hide of London Esq ; whose Grandchild Mr. Bernard Hide does enjoy the present Fee-simple of it .

Cardans is the last Mannor in Cliffe , which ( untill the publique Dissolution tore it off , ( belonged to the Charter-House in London ; and being thus ravished away , was by Henry the eighth in the thirty first year of his Reign , granted to Thomas Gethins ; from which Family not many years since , it passed away by Sale to Oliver Leder , and was lately , if it be not still , in the Tenure and Possession of that Name .

West-Clive vulgarly called West-Cliff , in the Hundred of Bewsborough , was the Patrimonial Inheritance of the Lord Cobham of Sterborough : Castle in Surrey , a younger Branch of the Lord Cobham of Cobham , Reginald de Cobham second Son of John de Cobham was summoned to Parliament as Baron of Sterborough in the twenty second year of Edward the third , and dyed possest of this Mannor , and much other Land in Kent and Surrey , in the forty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 15. and so it remained interwoven for some Descents with the Demeasne of this Family , till Thomas Lord Cobham this mans great Grandchild resolved into Ann Cobham , who was his Female Heir , who by being espoused to Edward Borough Lord Gainsborough , linked this to his Demeasne and Propriety ; but it was unloosned in Thomas Lord Borough this Mans Grandchild , who in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth alienated his Interest in it to Guibon , whose Grandchild Mr Thomas Guibon is invested in the instant Possession of it .

Bere Court or Mannor in this Parish , was formerly a parcell of the Demeasne of a Family who in times more ancient fell under this Denomination , Williant de Bere was Bailiff of Dover , and was to account the profits to the Constable of Dover Castle , Anno secundo Edwardi primi , Memb. 19. & Anno quarto Edwardi primi , Memb. 34. After this Family had waved the Possession of this place , the Tookes were setled in the Inheritance , and by a Decursion of many Ages , have brought down the Inheritance to Mr. Charles Tooke who is the instant Possessor of Bere .

Cobham in the Hundred of Shamell , afforded a Seat and Sirname to that noble and splendid Family , * * Sir Hen. de Cobham , Sir Reginald de Cobham , Sir Stephen de Cobham , Sir Henry de Cobham le Uncle ; are enrol'd in the Register of those Knights who were assistant to K. Edward the first at the Seige of Crlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth year of his Reign . who from hence borrowed the originall Denomination of Cobham , and certainly this place was the Cradle or Seminary of Persons , who in elder times were invested in Places of as signall and principall a Trust or Eminence , as they could move in , in the narrow Orbe of a particular County ; Henry de Cobham was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the first year of K. John , who were in some proportion equivalent to the Judges Itinerant , for they took Cognisance of all Causes Criminal , declared to be so by the Laws then in force , and likewise determined in sundry Actions of a meer Civill Aspect , either Reall , Personal , or Mixt ; Reginald de Cobham Son of John de Cobham , was Sheriff of Kent , from the Beginning of the thirty third year of Henry the third , to the end of the fortieth year of the said Prince , and was again Sheriff in the forty second year of the above mentioned Prince , in which year he dyed , and Roger de Northwood and his other Executors , answered for the Remainder of the year ; Sir Henry de Cobham was Sheriff of Kent , the twenty ninth , thirtieth and part of the thirty first year of Edward the first , he is written in the old Rolls of the Arms of the Knights of Kent , Henry Cobham le Vncle , that is , he was Uncle to the Lord Cobham ; he lies buried in Shorne Church , with his Portraicture , armed in Mail and Crosselegg'd , with a Barons Robes cast over ; but whether he were ever actually engaged in the Defence of the Crosse and Sepulchre of Christ against the Assaults of Infidels , is incertain ; for it was customary in those times , if they did but vow to undertake the protection of the Crosse in the Christian Quarrel , to insculpe their Figures upon their Sepulchres armed and Crosselegged : This abovesaid Sir Henry de Cobham was again Sheriff of Kent in the first and ninth years of Edward the second ; Stephen de Cobham Son and Heir of this Sir Henry , was Sheriff of Kent the eighth , ninth , and tenth years of Edward the third ; Tho. de Cobham was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Richard the second ; John de Cobham was one of the Conservators of the Peace in this County , in the third , fifth , sixth , ninth , twelfth , and eighteenth years of Edward the third , a place of no small Consequence in that Age , the end of it being to appease Tumults , regulate and bridle the Disorders and Excesses of all Irregular Persons , whether Felons , Outlaws , or other Malefactors , of what Complexion soever ; and lastly , to secure the Peace of the County from all Eruptions , either inbred or forraign : This man had Issue Thomas Lord Cobham , Father to John Lord Cobham , in whom the male Line determined , so that Joan became his Daughter and Heir , who was first matched to John Delapole , secondly to Sir John Ouldcastle , by whom she had only a Daughter that died an Infant , and thirdly to Reginald Braybrook , who dyed as ( appears by the Inscription on his Tombe ) in Cobham Church , in the year 1433 , and by him she had only Joan who was Heir to them both , and she by being wedded to Thomas Brook of the County of Somerset Esquire , knitt Cobham and a large Income besides , to her Husbands Patrimony . And this man had Issue by her , Sir Edmund Broke , who was summoned to Parliament as Baron of Cobham , in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth , and he was , in the direct Line , Ancestor to Henry Broke Lord Cobham , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in the first year of King James , who being too deeply concerned in the Design of Sir Walter Rawleigh which was as some , ( who pretend to unravell it in the whole Webb , by private Collusion and Treaty with Count Aremberg the Spanish Legat , to draw over some Forces from Flanders , by whose powerfull Concurrence they might engage this Nation in the Flame of Civill Contention , since from that they expected their Light , though others wrap it up in so many Vails and Umbrages that the whole Scene of this Attempt becomes perplexed and mysterious , ) made the forfeiture of his Estate here at Cobham , though not his Life , become the price of his undertaking , which being thus rent away by this Escheat from the Patrimony of this Family , was soon after , by King James , invested by Grant in his Kinsman Lodowick Stuart Duke of Lenox , who expiring without Issue , it did successively devolve to his Nephew James Duke of Lenox ; upon whose late Decease , it is come over to ....... his Dutchesse Dowager only Daughter to George Villiers Duke of Buckingham , in whom the blood of those three noble Families , Villiers , Manours , and Beaumont , appears to be concentered .

Cobham-Colledge was founded by John , Baron Cobham of Cobham , in year 1362 for a Master and Chaplains to pray for the Souls of him , his Ancestors , and Successors .

Cobham-Bury lyes likewise in this Parish , and was always esteemed as an appendant Mannor to Cobham , having originally and successively the same Proprietaries : and being found wrapped up in the Patrimony of the infortunate Henry Lord Cobham , it escheated upon his Attainder to the Crown ; and was suddenly after , by King James , granted to Robert Earl of Salisbury , whose Son and Heir the right honorable Robert Cecill Earl of Salisbury , some few years since transferred his Right in it by Sale to one Zachary King , of Watford in the County of Hertford .

Henherst is the last place of note in Cobham which , as the Records in Rochester inform me , was given to the Priory of Leed ; Castle by Robert de Crevequer upon his Foundation of that Cloister , and continued folded up in its Revenue , until the Whirlwind of the generall Suppression rent it off , and King Henry the eighth granted it to George Lord Cobham , who immediately after conveyed it to Sir George Harpur Esquire , whose Son Sir Edward Harpur about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , passed away his Concernment here to Mr. Thomas Wright ; from whom it descended to his Son and Heir George Wright Esquire , who , dying without Issue , gave it to his Kinsman Sir George Wright , and his Son not many years since surrendered it by Sale to Doctor Obert , Physitian to the late Queen Mary .

The Tythes of this Mannor were given by one Goscelinus ( as the first Book of of Compositions at Rochester discovers to me ) in the year 1091 , to the Priory of St. Andrews in that City , which upon the Suppression were by King Henry the eighth , granted to George Brook Lord Cobham , which upon the Attainder of his infortunate Grandchild , Henry Lord Cobham , in the second year of King James , returned to the Crown : and here the Propriety made its aboad , untill the late King Charles , by his royal Concession , made them the Inheritance of Mr. Stephen Alcock of Rochester , Esquire .

Cobham had the Grant of a Market weekly on the Monday , and a Fair yearly on the Day of St Mary Magdalen , procured to be observed there at those stated times abovesaid , by John Lord Cobham in the forty first year of Edward the third .

Because I have mentioned before , and shall have frequent occasion to mention hereafter those Kentish Gentlemen who were embarqued with Edward the first in his victorious and triumphant Expedition into Scotland , and were dignified with the order of Knighthood for their Assistance given to that Prince , in his succesfull and auspicious Siege of Carlaverock , in the twenty eighth year of his Reign ; I shall represent to the Reader a List which I have collected from an Authentick Roll , gleaned from very ancient Registers and other Records , by that eminent Antiquary Robert Glover Esquire .

Sir Henry de Cobham Sir Reginald de Cobham of Cobham and Roundall in Shorn . Sir Stephen de Cobham Sir Henry de Cobham le Uncle Sir Simon de Leybourn Sir Henry de Leybourne of Leybourne Castle , Sir Jeffrey de Say de Birling . Sir Ralph de St. Leger Sir John de St. Leger of Vlcombe Sir Thomas de St. Leger Sir Jeffrey de Lucy Sir Aymery de Lucy of Newington Lucies Sir Thomas de Lucy Sir John de Northwood Sir John de Northwood his Son of Northwood in Milton Sir John de Savage Sir Thomas de Savage of Bobbing Court Sir Roger de Savage

Sir Stephen de Cosington : in another old Roll there is mention of Sir William de Cosington , it is probable they were deslinct persons , but both of Cosington Hall in Alresford .

Sir Peter de Huntingfield of West-Wickham . Sir Robert de Crevequer , but of what place is not mentioned in the Roll. Sir Simon de Crioll of Walmer Sir Maurice de Bruin de Bekenham Sir Bartholomew de Burgherst of Plumsted Sir Fulk de Peyferer Sir William de Peyferer of Ottringden Sir Robert de Shurland of Shurland in Shepey Sir Alexander de Cheyney of Patrick bourn Cheyney Sir Thomas de Bicknor Sir John de Bicknor of Bicknor Sir Robert de Septuans of Milton Septuans Sir Henry Fitz-Aucher of Losenham in Newenden Sir John de Hadloe of Court at Street Sir William de Valoigus of Repton in Ashford Sir William de Basing of Kenardington Sir Simon de Crey Sir William de Crey of Pauls Crey Sir Stephen de Gravesend of Nutsted Sir John de Champneys , of what place is not mentioned , but it is probable of Champneys in Pauls Crey Sir Robert de Eastangrave of Eastangrave in Eden Bridge Sir John Abell of Hering Hill in Erith Sir Nicholas de Malmains of Malmains in Stoke Sir Richard de Rokesley of Rokesley in North Crey Sir Jeffrey de Camuill of Westerham Sir John Segrave of Folkston Sir William Peche Sir Robort Peche of Lullingston . Sir John de Newenham of Newenham .

Coldred in the Hundred of Eastrie , was a Branch of that Estate which related to the Fraternity of the Maison de Dien in Dover , to which in the fourteenth year of S. the first they obtained a Charter of Free warren which was looked upon in that Age as a priviledge of vast extent and circumference ; upon the Dissolution in the reign of Hen. the eighth , it was by royal Concession from that Prince , added to the Demeasn of Rich. Monins Esq ; great Grandfather to Sir Edw. Monins Baroner to whose Signory and Jurisdiction the propriety of this place at this instant submits it self .

Popshall in this Parish was anciently wrapt up in the Demeasn of Orlanston of Orlanston . William de Orlanston held it , as appears by an Escheat-roll marked with the number 86 , in the reign of Hen. the third , and transmitted it to his Son Will . de Orlanston , who in the fifty first year of the above-mentioned Prince , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Orlanston , and Pophall from him it descended to Will . de Orlanston , who had Issue Jo. de Orlarston , who held it in possession at his Decease , which was in the forty sixth year of Edw. the third , and had Issue Will . Orlanston who by Sale transplanted the Interest of this place into Rich. Berham ; in which Family after the Title had for some Generations been resident , a Vicissitude of the same Resemblance with the former , cast it into the possession of Horne branched out from the Hornes of Horns-place in Apuldore , who after some years investiture in the propriety of Popshall , determined in a Daughter and Heir , who was espoused to John Diggs from whom in a direct Line Sir Dudley Diggs of Chilham-castle was extracted , who alienated his right in this place to Sir Will . Monins Knight and Baronet , whose Son Sir Edw. Monins Baronet , enjoys the instant Fee-simple of it .

Coldham in the Hundred of Rockesley , is in the Pages of Doomsday Book written Caudham : which denotes the bleak and chil situation of it ; In the twentieth year of Will. the Conquerour , it was parcel of the Demeasn of Gilbert de Magninot , being involved in those Knights Fees which were assigned to him to be assistant to Jo. de Fiennes in the defence of Dover-castle . And in this Name after it had some three Descents been lodged , this Mannor went away about the beginning of K. Stephen to Will. de Say , with the Daughter and Heir of this Family . Will. de Say this Mans Son , is in the Front or Van of that register , which comprehends the Names of those Kentish Gentlemen who were embarked in the holy Quarrel with Rich. the first at the Siege of Acon . Geffrey de Say was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the second year of K. Jo. the Nature of which office , and the Latitude of its Authority , I rust and Concernment ; I have before unsolded at Cobham . * * Will . de Say was with Henry the third , in his expedition into Gascony in the thirty seseventh year of his Rule . Geffrey de Say was with Edw. the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his reign , and for his noted Actings there , was honoured by that Prince with Knighthood , and dyed possest of this Mannor in the fifteenth year of Edw. the second , and had the repute of a Baron at his Decease , as had all his Successors likewise , holding Birling Couldham , and other places by that Tenure , which is styled per Baroniam . Geffrey de Say had view of Frank-pledge here in the eighth year of Edw. the third , and was engaged with that Prince , in the thirteenth of his reign , in his triumphant Designs upon France . Sir Will . Say was his Son and Heir , who went out from his Tabernacle of humane frailty in the forty third year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. and bequeathed his Estate here at Coldham to Geffrey de Say his only Son surviving , who going out in two Daughters and Coheirs , Joan one of them was matched to Sir Will . Fiennes , from whom descended Ja. Fiennes his second Son , who was summoned to Parliament at Bury as Baron Say and Seale the first of March , in the twenty fifth year of the abovesaid Prince , and * * This Ric. Fiennes , was created Baron Dacres in the seventh of Henry the sixth . Rich. Fiennes eldest Son , who matched with Joan Sole Heir of Tho. Dacres , eldest Son of Tho. Lord Dacres of Hurstmonseaux , who had this Mannor by Descent from his Father ; from whom in a continued Series it came down to Gregory Fiennes Lord Dacres , who in the thirty sixth year of Q. Elizabeth , dyed without Issue ; and so Sampson Lenard Esquire , by marrying with Margaret his Sister and Heir became Heir to Coldham , and a large Inheritance besides , and his Son Hen. Lenard in the reign of K. James , was created Baron Dacres , from whom Francis Lenard now Lord Dacres , and proprietary of this Mannor is lineally extracted .

The Mannor of Apulderfield by contraction now called Apurfield lies in the precincts of this Parish , which was long time possest by Gentlemen that took their Sirname from thence , and branched numerously into divers parts of this Shire ; Hen. de Apulderfield in the thirty eighth of Hen. the third , obtained a grant of a Fair and Market to his Mannor of Apulderfield . In the eleventh year of Edward the second , Iohn de Insula had a Charter of Free-warren granted to his Mannor of Apulderfield , which was renewed to Stephen de Ashway in the thirty eighth of Edward the third , who had a free Chappel annexed to it ; and in this Family of Ashway did the Title of this place for many Generations settle , till at last the common vicissitude of Purchase made it the Demeasn of Denny , from whom it came over by the same Alienation to Fiennes , and is now in right of Margaret Fiennes , Sister to Gregory Lord Dacres , matched to Sampson Lenard , devolved to his great Grandchild Francis Lenard the present Lord Dacre .

The Hamlet of Bettred , is the last place considerable in Coldham or Coudham ; It was in elder times the Inheritance of Richard de Cherfholt , who was discharged of Reveship by Jeffrey de Say , in the fifteenth year of Edw. the second , which Lord it seems bore a particular affection to this place : for in the seventh year of Edw. the third he brings a pleading for a yearly Fair to be kept at this Hamlet , on the day of St. Laurence , that is , on the tenth day of August , which was allowed by Jo. de Stonar , then one of the Justices Itinerant : But to go on , this above-mentioned Ric. dying without Issue-male , his Daughter and Heir who was matched to William de Manning , knit it to the possession of this Family : he dyed the seventeenth year of Edw. the third , and was Son of Stephen de Manning , of whom there is mention in old Deeds which have an Aspect upon the third , fourteenth , eighteenth , and twenty third years of Edward the first , and he was descended of Simon de Manning , to whom John Silvester of Westerham demises Land by Deed in the fourteenth year of Rich. the first , and who ( as an old Pedigree which relates to this Family , doth record ) was engaged in the Holy War , in defence of the Cross and Sepulcher of our Saviour , against the Saracens and Infidels under Rich. the first , and from this Simon de Manning , Mr. Sam. Manning now of London , and Mr. Edw. Manning of Kevington are by successive Right derived to them by many Descents , originally and lineally extracted .

Cosmus-Damianus-Bleane lies in the Hundred of Whitstaple , and contains three places within the Boundaries of it , which may fall under a Survey . The first is Well-court , which was anciently parcel of that Estate which did own the Family of at Leeze for its Possessors . Sir Richard at Leeze dyed possest of it in the year 1394. but going out without Issue , Marcellus at Leeze was his Brother and Heir , who concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , Lucy first married to Jo. Norton , and after to Will . Langley of Knolton in Kent , by both which she had Issue ; and Cicily wedded to Valentine Barret of Perry-court : but Norton and Langley as Heirs to the eldest Daughter , shared the Estate here at Well-court ; and for many years did their Interest remain thus interwoven , till is the eleventh year of H. the eighth , Tho. Son of Jo. Langley , releaseth all his right in this place to his Kinsman Sir Jo. Norton , and he in the third year of Edw. the sixth , passes away his Concernment in it by Sale to Tho. Green , whose Successors George and Tho. Green , in the seventh year of K. James , alienated it by mutual Concurrence to Jo. Best , in whose posterity the title and propriety is at this instant resident .

The second is Lambert Lands a Mannor which is couched partly within the Limits of Hernhill , and partly within the Verge of this Parish ; It was in elder times an Appendage to the revenue of Feversham Abby : but when the storm of Suppression , which happened in the Government of the reign of H. the eighth , had ravished it away from the patrimony of the Church , and lodged it in the Crown , it was by that Prince in the thirty sixth year of his reign granted to Tho. Arden ; but it seems it was but for Life , for after he was Barbarously assassinated by his Wife , and her inhumane Complices in the reign of Edw. the sixth , and left no Issue ; that Prince granted it to Sir Henry Crispe of Quckes , in whose posterity the title was permanent , till that Age our Fathers lived in , and then it was alienated to Sir Jo. Huett of the County of Darby , who is yet the proprietary of it .

Hoad-court is , and always was , part of the Demeasn of East-bridge Hospital , holding of the Master thereof . East-bridge , was formerly an Inn , for poor devout Pilgrims , who came to offer up their Visits and Orizons to the shrine of Tho. Becket , after the demolishing of which , in the reign of H. the eighth , this Hospital sprang up out of its Luines , and in the reign of Q. Eliz. Dr ...... Lawes being then Master of East-bridge Hospital , it was granted for three lives to * * He was Steward to five Arch-bs . of Cant. Judge of the Chancery at Dover , under 3 Lord Wardens , and Recorder of Canterbury . Sir Jo. Bois , a person of an exemplary and regular life , as appears by his diffusive Charity , for he founded Jesus Hospital in the Subburbs of North-gate at Cant. which he furnished with eight Brothers four Sisters and a Warden , all very plentifully provided for ; he died without issue , and left his estate here to his Nephew Mr. Tho. Bois , who erected for him a magnificent tomb in the Nave or body of Christ-church , which the assaults of impious and savage hands have demolished and utterly defaced ; but though this Monument be thus crushed into uncomely ruines , yet he hath transmitted his Fame to posterity , which , whenall the gandy and pompous Trophies of Art languish and shrink into their own Ashes , shall stand ( both Brass to his Tomb and Marble to his Stone ) : But to proceed , from Mr. Thomas Bois abovementioned , is the propriety of this Mannor devolved to his Grandchild Jo. Bois Esq ; a person who for his ingenious and candid Love to Literature may be justly said to be worthy of better times , but fit for these ; that is , though his Merit should have been calculated for the best of days , yet it is made more eminent by his support of Learning in the worst .

Cowden in the Hundreds of Somerden and Westerham , did anciently with its revenue , support the Colledge of Lingfield in Surry , till the publique dissolution came and tore it off , and then it was by H. the eighth granted to H. Earl of Arundel , from whom it suddenly after devolved by sale to Wiskenden , whose Grandchild not many years since deceasing , left it divided between his two Sons , one of which hath lately alienated his Moiety to Ashdown , though the other proportion still continues in the Name of Wickenden .

The Moat is an eminent Seat in Cowden , which for many Generations confessed the Signory of a Family called Cosin or Cosins , as is evident from several Deeds of certain parcels of Land which relate to this Mansion , as the capital messuage which were conveyed , some by Sale , some by resignation , from one Cosin to another . Whence this Family was originally extracted , I cannot collect , because the evidences of this place ( from which I am to borrow my Intelligence ) extend no higher then this Family , yet it is probable their first Cradle was in Norfolk , where in elder times they were eminent : for in the sixteenth year of E. the second , I find one Jo. Cosin obtained License by parent to found a Chantry at Norwich , as appears Pat. Anno 16. E. 2. Parte secunda Memb. 4. but whether this Family seated here were derived from him immediately or not , is incertain . Sure I am , that after they had for many Descents been planted here , about the latter end of Henry the sixth , it began to crumble away ; for in the thirty second year of that Prince , William Cosin by Deed passed it away to William Hextall , William Gainsford and Nicholas Gainsford , in the fifth year of Edward the fourth ; Hextall surrenders all his Interest here to William Gainsford Esquire , so he is written in the Deed , and from him did it descend to Nicholas Gainsford , whom I find to be Justice of the Peace for Sussex and Kent in the reign of Henry the seventh , and from him is that Family successively branched out , who are the instant proprietaries of this place .

Waystrode is another obscure Mannor in this Parish , which was the possession of as obscure a Family , wich bore that Sirname , who continued Lords of the Fee ; untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was passed away to May , in which Name it had not been permanent untill the latter end of that Prince , but the same revolution conveyed it into the possession of a Family whose Sirname was Still , in whose Successors the title hath remained so constant , that the Inheritance of this place is at this instant resident in this Name and Family .

Cowling in the Hundred of Shamell , had still the Barons Cobham , of Cobham ) of whom I have discoursed so largely at that place ) for possessors and came down along with them to John Lord Cobham , who expired in Joan Cobham his Daughter and Heir , who was first espoused to John Delapole , secondly to Sir John Oldcastle , who for asserting the Doctrine of the Lollards , notwithstanding his many great Atchievements in Military Commands , which rendered him gracious with his Prince , and glorious in our Chronicles , he was in the first year of Henry the fifth , quite subverted by a Romish Tempest raised by the Ecclesiasticks of those Times , and martyr'd in a most inhumane manner , by hanging him first , and burning his Body also ; thirdly , she was matched to Reginald Braybrook , by whom she had only Joan her Daughter and Heir , who was wedded to Thomas Brook of the County of Somerset Esquire ; from whom descended William Lord Brook Lord Warden of the Cinque ports in the reign of Queen Elizabeth , who gave this Mannor to George Brooke his second Son ; and he being unhappily entangled in that mysterious Design of his Brother Henry Lord Cobham , and Sir Walter Ramleigh , by the Losse of his Head at Winchester , did expiate this unhappy undertaking ; but this being setled by entail and in Marriage also upon his Son , who was in this latter Age known by the Name of Sir William Brook , was by King James restored to this person then in his Minority , upon whose Decease it descended to Sir Iohn Brook as the Heir male of the Family , who was created Lord Brook , by the late King at Oxford .

Cowling Castle was erected by Iohn Lord Cobham by Concession from Richard the second , as appears Pat. 4. Richardi secundi ; which grant of his in the whole Tenor of it , he caused to be inscribed in a large Table of Stone upon the Front of the Castle : so careful was he to conform to the Laws of the Land , which had a particular Aspect upon private embattelling , a Species of Fortification , prohibited si facta fuerit sine Licentia Domini Regis .

The Mannor of Mortimers in this Parish , was the patrimony of Gentlemen of that Sirname . Hugh de Mortimer who had a Grant of a Fair to Cliff in the forty first year of Henry the third , was possessor of this place ; In Ages of a lower descent , Iohn Mortimer ( who in the eleventh year of Edward the third , was to provide an Hobler or Light Horseman , for the security of the Coast about Genlade in Hoo ) lived at this place , which had long before born the Name of his Ancestors ; After this Family had left it , the Inglefields a noble Family in Barkesshire , descended from * * Ex veteri Rotulo Familiae de Inglefield . Hasculfus de Inglefield , who flourished about the latter end of King Canutus , were by purchase ingraffed in the possession ; and here in this Name did the Title setle , till about the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then it was alienated to Iohn Sidley Esq ; Auditor to that Prince ; from Sidley it went over by purchase to Polhill , Ancestor to George Polhill Esq ; eldest Son of Sir Thomas Polhill , who is the present possessor of it .

Crundall in the Hundred of Wye , was one of the Seats of the noble and ancient Family of Hadloe , who had here a Mansion which at this day perpetuates their memory , and is called Hadloe place ; Iohn de Hadloe had a Charter of Free-warren to Crundall and Hadloe , in the first year of Edward the third ; he was son to Iohn de Hadloe , who dyed seised of it in the eleventh year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 25. Of this Family was Nicholas Hadloe son of Edmund de Hadloe who ended in Amabilia Hadloe who matched with Honewood of Honewood in Postling : but Crundall and Hadloe , were sold away before to Waretius de Valoigns , by whose Daughter and Coheir they came over to Th●mas de Aldon , and in that Name they continued several descents , until the former Fatality brought it to languish into a Female Heir , who was wedded to Heron of the County of Lincolne , who desirous to draw all his estate into an entire Bulke , passed away his estate here to Kempe ; and there it had no long continuance neither , for by Mary one of the Coheirs of Sir Thomas Kempe , it went away to Sir Dudley Diggs , who suddenly after devested himself of his right to Crundall and Hadloe-place , and in our Fathers memory passed them away by Sale to Mr ...... Gay .

Tremworth in this parish , See more of Valoigns at Swerdlin in Petham . was one of the ancient Mansions of Valoigns . Allan de Valoigns who was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty first , thirty second , thirty third , and thirty fourth years of Henry the second , had his Residence here as well as at Repton in Ashford , and is often written in the pipe-Rolls of those years Valoigns de Tremworth ; from this man did descend Waretius de Valoigns , who in the fourteenth year of Edward the third , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Tremworth , Hougham , and other places in Kent , and in whom the male Line failed , for he concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , one of whom was matched to Aldon , and so Tremworth came to own the Jurisdiction and Dominion of that Family ; and here it remained for divers Descents , till Time , that with successive Vicissitudes rolles all things into their determined period , brought this Family to find its Tomb in a Female Heir , who was married to Heron ; from which Family about the reign of Henry the eighth , it passed away by Sale to Kempe , of which Family was Sir Thomas Kempe , who dying without Issue male , left it to his Brother Mr. Reginald Kempe ; and he had Issue Thomas Kempe , who deceasing without Children , this Thomas his two Sisters married to Clark and Denny , became his heirs , and upon the Division of the Estate Tremworth was cast into the Revenue of Denny , by whose Daughter and Heir it is lately become the Demeasn of Mr. Robert Filmer , second Son of Sir Robert Filmer of Sutton , not long since deceased .

Winchcombe is an ancient Seat likewise in Crundall , which ever since the Reign of Edward the second , hath acknowledged the Carters ( as appears by private Evidences ) for its uninterrupted Proprietaries , and is still in the Tenure and possession of that Name and Family .

Cuckston anciently written Cuckleston , lies in the Hundred of Totlingtrough , and was given to the Church of Rochester by Ethelwolfe Son of King Egbert , See Textus Roffensis . first Monarch of the English Saxons ; this King Ethelwolfe after his decease , which happened to be about the year 857. was ( for his several and exemplary acts of Charitie and pious Munificence towards the Church , of which Cuckston till these unhappy times ravished it away , stood a visible Monument ) Recorded in the Register of Saints .

Whornes-Place in this Parish was erected by Sir William Whorne , who was Lord Maior of London in the year 1487. upon which ( though he setled his Name ) he could not so fasten it to his Family , but that the next Age by Purchase brought it over to Vane , where the Title had not long fixt , but the vicissitude of Sale alienated it to Barnewell , who about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth sold it to Nicholas Lewson of the County of Stafford Esq ; whose Grandchild Sir Richard Lewson desirous to settle himself in his own County , where a vaste Estate lay spread , which had been transmitted to him from his Ancestors , passed away this by Sale to John Marsham Esquire , originally extracted from the Marshams of Norfolk , where many years before they had flourished under no contemptible Estimate .

D. D. D. D.

DArent in the Hundred of Acstane , is very often written North-Darent , it belonged in the Conquerours time to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , as the Record called Doomsday Book instructs me ) and was exchanged for the Mannor of Lambeth by Hubert Walter Arch-Bishop , Lord Chancellor , and Lord Chief Justice , with Gilbert Glanvill Bishop of Rochester , in the year of our Lord , 197. which exchange was afterwards confirmed by Richard the first .

Saint Margaret-Hills now united to this Parish , had formerly a Church , which being decayed , and the Congregation diminished , it was by Cardinall Pole in the year 1557. incorporated into Darent . It was anciently , and is so still , distinguished by the Name St. Margaret-Hills , which additionall Character it borrowed from a Family originally called Hells , and then by Tradition and Vulgar corruption afterwards stiled Hills ; a Family which had large Possessions both here at Dertford , and at Ash likewise by Sandwich ; John de Hells had a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannors of Hells and his Estate at Dertford , in the seventeenth year of Edward the first ; and from this John de Hells did Sir Edmund Hills descend ; and he about the beginning of Edward the sixth , alienated this Mannor to Lane , whose Son Henry Lane went out in a Daughter and Heir called Martha , who matched to Edw. Rolt , descended from the Roults of Bedford-shire ; in Right of which Alliance Mr. Thomas Rolt his Grandchild , is now invested in the Possession of this Place .

Dartford gives name to that Hundred wherein it is situated , and before the Foundation of the Nunnerie , was a Mannor which was wrapt up in the Demeasne of the Crown ; there was a Family called Tingewike , which had it in Lease , for when King Edward the third , Pat. An. primi Edw. tertii Memb. 6. granted the Royalties of the Mannor of Dartford , to Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent , paying , as a Rent-Service , of 30. l. per annum , it is mentioned in the Patent that he should hold them all in as ample a manner as Alice Tingewike formerly had done , upon his decease , it reverts to the Crown , and the same King Edward in the year 1355. and in the fiftieth year of his Reign , erects here a Nunnerie , whose Lady-Abbess and the Nuns of the Covent were for the most part , in succeeding times , elected into this Cloister out of the noblest Families of the Nation . Upon the suppression , King Henry the eighth converted the House into a Palace for his own habitation , and under that notion it continued , till K. James by exchange passed it away to Robert E. of Salisbury , who conveyed it to Sir Edw. Darcy , whose Grandchild , Edward Darcy Esquire , descended from the noble Family of Darcy of Yorke-shire , at this instant possesses the Fee-Simple of it .

The Mannor of Temple in this Parish , was involved in that Revenue , which was marshal'd under the Jurisdiction of the Knights Templers , as the very Name doth seem to insinuate , and upon the totall disannulling this order here in England , was , by a Statute made in the seventeenth year of Edward the second , setled on the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem , where it was fixed and constant , untill the disbanding of that Order likewise in this Nation by King Henry the eighth , and then it was annexed to the Patrimony of the Crown ; and rested there , untill K. James exchanged it , with Robert , E. of Salisbury , who sold it to Edw. Darcy Esq ; whose Grandchild Edw. Darcy Esq ; hath lately conveyed it by Sale , to his Brother in Law Mr. Will . Gough .

The Mannor of Charles is Seated in this Parish , and was a Branch of that Estate which fell under the Signorie of the ancient Family of Charles , from whom it assumed its appellation . Of this Family was Edw. Charles , who was Captain and Admiral of the Fleet , from the Thames-Mouth North-ward , as appears Pat. 34. Edw. 1. after this Family had left the Possession of this place which was about the beginning of Richard the second ; Nicholas de Brember was planted in the Proprietie : but he was scarce warm in his new atchieved Purchase , but he fell under the guilt of high Treason , only for being too fast in his Loyaltie and Faith to his Prince , and too loose in his fidelity to his Country , for there it seems that blind distinction had its first rise and growth which like some Alembeck distil'd and dropped the Power of the King distinguished apart from his Person , upon the forfeiture of his Life and Estate together , which was in the tenth year of Rich. the second : It was by that Prince suddenly after conveyed by grant to Adam Bamme Lord Maior of London : in which Family after it had for many Ages been seated , ( it was as appears by an exemplification now in the hands of Mr. Took of Dartford ) transmitted by Sale to Death , who about the latter end of K. James passed it away to Goldsmith of Marshals-Court in Creyford ; who some few years since sold all his Concernment in it to Mr. Tooks , branched out from the ancient Family of the Tooks of Bere in West-Clive ; though , since this Name setled at Dartford , it hath by Depravation been called Tuke .

Horsemans-Place is a Mansion of good account likewise in Dartford ; in the sixteenth year of Edward the second , I find it owned one Thomas de Luda for Proprietarie , between whom and Thomas de Sandwich Abbot of Lessnes , there was a Composition about that time touching the passage of a Current of Water . But this Family before the end of Edward the third , had deserted the Possession ; and then ( by old Court-Rolls and other Evidences ) I find it in the Tenure of John Horsman , who , it is probable new built this Mansion , and on the old Foundation established this new-Name ; and he had Issue Thomas Horseman , who about the beginning of Henry the sixth , dying without Issue , gave it to his Widow Margaret Horseman , re-married to Shardelow , and she , upon her decease , in the ninteenth year of Henry the sixth , bequeathed it to her Kinsman Thomas Brown , whose Daughter and Sole Heir Katherine , annexed it to the Patrimony of Robert Blague , one of the Barons of the Exchequer , and he had Issue by her Barnabie Blague , who in the thirty third of Henry the eighth conveyed it by Sale to Mr. John Bere , who much adorned and augmented the ancient Shell or Structure of this Seat in the thirtieth year of that Princes Reign ; but left his Acquists thus increased and improved to Ann his Sole Heir matched to Mr. Christopher Twislton , descended from Twislton Castle in the County of Lancaster , whose Successor Sir Jo. Twislton , Knight , and Baronet , is now by descendant , Right Possessor of it .

At Stanpit , in this Parish , there was a Chappell founded by one Thomas de Dertford and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin , for one Priest to celebrate divine Offices for the Soul of the Founder . In this Parish , there was likewise a perpetual Salary established by one Thomas Martin to pray for the Soul of the Founder , and Light-lands which were given by John Grovehurst .

Denton in the Hundred of Shamell , was given to the Church of Rochester by a Noble man called Brichric and Efswith his Wife : but it seems there had been some Invasion made upon the Original grant ; for ( as the Book called Textus Roffensis informs me ) it was restored to that Cathedral by William the Conquerour , and was in after-times when Henry the eighth , upon the Ruines of the Priory of St. Andrews raised the Dean and Chapter of Rochester , by royal Concession united to their Demeasn .

Denton in the Hundred of Eastry with the appendant Mannor of Tapington , now by Contraction called Tapton , were in Times of very ancient Inscription , both couched in the patrimony of Yerd ; and though several datelesse Deeds represent this Family to have been possessors of both these places , as high as the reign of K. Jo. and H. the third : yet the first of this Name , whom Record discovers to us , to have been eminent , was John de Yerd who held the Mannors of Denton and Tapington , by that Service which they call ad Wardam Castri Doveriensis , and paid a respective Supply for them , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black-Prince Knight , and from this man did the possession of both these places flow down to Jo. Yerd Esq ; who was Sheriff of Kent in the nineteenth of Hen. the sixth , and he had Issue John Yerd , who conveyed Tapington to Jo. Fogge Esq ; and he again by a Fine levyed in the fifteenth year of Edw. the fourth , passed away his Interest in it to Richard Haut , and he determined in a Female Heir called Margery Haut , matched to William Isaack , who annexed Tapton to his Demeasn , and in his descendant line the propriety remained untill that Age which was enclosed within the Circle of our Grand-fathers remembrance , and then it was alienated to Bois . But Denton with some part of the revenue of Tapington , continued longer in the Yerd , until Jo. Yerd the last Heir male of this Family , going to London , fell sick in Southwark , and dyed without Issue , and was enterr'd in St. Margarets-church , afterwards converted to the Court of Marshalseys : so that Langley of Knowlton , in right of a former Match with the Heir General of this Family , was entituled to the possession of Denton , and the Demeasn of Tapton : but Edward Langley the last of this Name dying Childlesse in the reign of Henry the eighth , in relation to a former Match of the Heir General with Peyton , Sir Robert Peyton of Cambridgeshire became Heir to his Estate in Kent ; whose Successor Sir Robert Peyton , passed away all his Interest here to Bois . Bois by Sale demised Tapington to Verier ; who almost in our Remembrance conveyed it to Mersh , the instant proprietary : But Denton was by Bois alienated to Rogers , who in those Times our Fathers lived in , translated his right into Swan ; who not many years since , sold it to Sir Anth. Percival of Dover , and he not long since transplanted it by Sale into Phinees Andrews of Hartfordshire Esq.

Wigmere is a third Mannor in this Parish ; there was a Family of this Name in East-Kent : for in divers old Evidences which I have seen , there is mention of Will . de Wigmere , and divers others of this Name ; but for many Ages it acknowledged the Signory of Brent , and so continued till the Beginning of Q. Eliz. and then Tho. Brent dying without Issue , Margaret , married to Jo. Dering of Surrenden Dering , became his Heir ; in Right of which match , the Family of Dering is entituled to the instant possession .

Madekin lies partly in Denton , and partly in Barham , and owned a Family of that Sirname , ( as appears by the Evidences now in the hands of Mr. Oxenden , ) and continued by a thread of several descents fastned to this Name ; but about the beginning of Henry the sixth , the Succession of the Title was disordered , and by Sale translated into Sednor , where the possession for many years dwelt , till at last upon some Acquists in Brenchley , they withdrew themselves thither , and passed away their Interest here to Brook ; in whom after it had continued three descents , the Fate of Sale , cast it into the Inheritance of Brooker ; and by Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir of that Family , it not long after descended to Sir Henry Oxenden , whose Grandchild Henry Oxenden Esquire , now possesseth the Signory of it .

Davington in the Hundred of Feversham , was given to the Cloister of Black-Nuns , which was founded there by Fulke de Newenham , and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen . In the thirty ninth of Henry the third , that Prince confirmed them their Lands , and invested them with severall priviledges as appears Chart. 39. Hen. tertii Memb. 5. In the seventeenth of Edward the third , the King sent his Writ to the Sheriff of Kent to be certified of the Estate and Revenue which belonged to this Nunnery : for the Abbess and Nuns petitioned for relief , in regard their Income was not sufficient to support them ; and Jo. de Vielston then Sheriff of Kent , returned per Sacramentum proborum & legalium Hominum , that they had not a competent Demeasn for Subsistence ; that whereas formerly there were twenty six Nuns , now there were but fourteen , and that those could not live upon the revenue of the Covent , but had the Charity of their Friends to supply them . Thus did the Cloister of Davington remain a Seminary of religious Women , whilst their revenue without , was the Fuel which supported and nourished the Flame on the Altar . But when the reign of Henry the eighth approached , which became decretory and critical to all these Nurseries of a lazy and speculative Devotion , the demeasn which sustained this Covent , was by Henry the eighth plucked away , and in the eight and thirteeth year of his Government was by patent knit to the patrimony of Sir Thomas Cheyney . And his Son Sir Henry Lord Cheyney , in the eighth year of Q. Eliz. conveyed it by Sale to Jo. Bradborn , descended ( as appears by his Seal affixed to his Deed , by which he alienates it again in the tenth year of Q. Eliza. to Avery Giles ) from the Bradborns of Darbyshire . But in this Family the residence of it was very brief and transitory ; for his Son Francis Giles in the twentieth year of Q. Eliza. passed it away to Mr. Jo. Edwards ; and from this Family though the Fate of purchase did not rend it away , yet that of marriage did : for this Jo. Edwards leaving only one Daughter and Heir called Ann , she by matching with Io. Boade of Essex Esquire , linked this to his revenue , and from him it is descended to Mr. Io. Boade the present Lord of the Fee .

Little Davington or Davington-court , not far distant from that house which was the Nunnerie , was formerly wrapped up in that Demeasn , which confessed the Dominion of the Earls of Atholl Lords of Chilham , by whom the Mansion it self was built ; as their Arms in Stone-work in the great Hall before they were taken down by Mr. Tho. Mills did abundantly testifie ; and having for many years acknowledged their Signory at last it devolved to David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl : who dying without Issue-male , in the forty ninth year of Edw. the third , left it to Philippa , one of his two Coheirs who was matched to Io. Halsham ; and from him did a successive Right bring it down to Sir Hugh Halsham his Grandchild , who about the beginning of H. the sixth passed it away to Ja. Drylond who determined in one Daughter and Heir called Constance Drylond who was matched to Sir Tho. Walsingham of Scadbery Knight , who in her right became possessor of it , and transmitted it to his Son Sir Ja. Walsingham , who was Sheriff of Kent in the twelfth year of H. the seventh , and kept his Shrievalty at Davington ; and from him did it descend to his Grandchild Sir Tho. Walsingham , who almost in our Grandfathers remembrance conveyed it by Sale to Simons , and he not long after to Coppinger . And his Son having about the beginning of K. James mortgaged it to Freeman ; they both joyned , and by mutual Concurrence fixed their right in Mr. Tho. Mills of Norton , who deceasing without Issue-male , it came by Ann his Sole Daughter and Heir , to be the Inheritance of Sir Io. Mill of South-hampton , who conveyed it to his Brother Dr. Mill , and he some few years past , alienated it to his Kinsman Mr. Tho. Mill , and he serled the propriety of it on his Son Mr. Tho. Mill , who hath very lately transmitted all his Right in it by Sale to Tho. Twisden Esquire Serjeant at Law , now of Brabourn in East-Malling .

Since my Writing of this , I have discovered by an old Survey of Davington , collected by Mr. Tho. Mill● , that Io. Lewknor of Sussex Esq ; had in the twenty first year of H. the sixth an Interess in Davington-court derived to him by Joan his Wife , Sole Inheritrix of Sir Hugh Halsham , which he not long after passed away to Mr. James Drylond .

Detling in the Hundred of Maidstone , gave Name to a Knightly Family famous for Fortitude and Chivalrie , in token whereof a Massie Lance all wrearhed about with thinn Iron place is preserved in the Church ( like that of Willam the Conquerours at Battel in Sussex ) as the very Spear by them used , and left as a memorial of their Atchivements in Arms , and an Emblem also of their extraordinary Strength and Abilitie ; In which respect those in Bedington-Hall in Surrey , celebrate the renown of the Carewes atchieved at Tilt and Turnament ; and that in Lullingston-Hall in Kent the like for the Peches ; As also that in Gerards-Hall in London , upon which a Romance is drest up by the vulgar report , fancying he was some Giant , when the truth is , he was of the Knightly Family of Gizors , and Constable of the Tower ; and this his Capital Mansion was Castellated , as the Seat of the Basings was , another strenuous Family at Basings-Hall in London ; these matters allude much to the manner of the Romans , whose Victories were aplauded , and the Victors in their Triumphs extoll'd by Trophies and other Monuments and Ensigns of Honour , as Pancirolus , Rosinus , and others have judiciously observed , that have treated of these kind of Rituals : But to return to the Subject , from which this discourse hath diverted me , in this Family of Detling did the Possession of this place for many Ages remain constantly seated , till the beginning of the Reign of Edward the fourth , and then John Detling written , in some Old Deeds , Brampton alias Detling , transmitted it by Sale to Richard Lord Woodvill , Lord of the Moat in Maidston not far distant , created Earl of Rivers , Lord Treasurer and Constable of England , by his Son in law King Edward the fourth in the year 1466. whose Grandchild Anthony Woodvill Earl Rivers , being attainted upon supposed Treason in the first year of Richard the third , which was made so by that Usurper , and those black Engins which he had raised upon him , because he too cordially asserted the Interest of Edward fifth , it escheated to the Crown ; and that Prince in the second year of his Government granted it to Sir Robert Brackenbury Lievtenant of the Tower , who it seems disliking a Tenure which was caemented with Blood , passed away his right immediately after to Richard Lewknor who had some estate here before , by matching with Eleanor Coheir of Tho. Towne , which Tho. Towne wedded to Bennett Heir of John Detling , and this Richard Lewknor about the latter end of Henry the seventh , gave it in franck Marriage with his Daughter to Hills . Hills resolved into two Daughters and Coheirs , one of which was married to Vincent , and the other was matched to Martin , and so upon the Division to avoid all Disorder and Confusion , Detling was split into two Mannors , one was called West-Court , which accrued to Vincent , and the other was termed East-Court which was annexed to the Demeasne of Martin . Martin , about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , sold East-Court to Webbe , in which Name after it had for severall years been fixed , it was in our Fathers Memory passed away to Smith , who not many years since alienated it to Sir Edward Henden one of the Barons of the Exchequer , who upon his Decease gave it to his Nephew Sir John Henden ; and from him it is now descended to his eldest Son Edward Henden , Esquire : But Westcourt was by Vincent passed away to Morton , of Whitehorse in Croyden , in which Family the Inheritance is yet remaining .

Dimchurh in the Hundred of Worth , hath nothing to make it memorable but that it was formerly the Inheritance of Twitham . Bertram de Twitham , held Lands here at his Death , which was in the third year of Edward the third , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 115. And from him it came down to Theobald Twitham , whose Daughter and Heir Mawd was married to Simon Septuans , from whom descended John Septuans whose Daughter and Heir was matched to Fogge , who in her Right was entituled to much Land here at Dimchurch , and in other places of the Mersh ; but the Family of Poynings had likewise some Interest here : for Michael Poynings was seised in Fee of some Lands in Dimchurch , in the forty third year of Edward the third Rot. Esc . Num. 14. Parte secunda , and in this Name was the Possession carried on untill the Beginning of the Reign of Henry the sixth , and then it was alienated to Fogge.

Newhall in this Parish is the place where those which are the Lords of Romney Mersh , that is , of so many Mannors which lye within the Precincts the Liberties of it , assemble yearly to compose Laws for the better regulating and securing the Banks of the Mersh , against the perpetuall Invasions and Encroachments of the Sea

Ditton in the Hundred of Larkefield , with its two Appendages Brampton and Sifleston , were in times of a very high ascent , the Patrimony of a Family called Brampton ; the Book of Aid , ( which makes a Recapitulation of the ancient owners , informs us . that anciently they were Bramptons , that is , in the Reign of King John , and Henry the third ( as the Pipe-Rolls relating to both those Kings times discover to us . ) Afterwards , in the Reign of Edward the first , I find the Aldons ( by the Pipe-Rolls ) to have been Proprietaries of both these places ; but , it seems , the Possession remained not long with them : for , in the third year of Edward the second , I find Stephen de Burghurst or Burwash died in the Possession of them , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 4. And here the Title continued untill the forty third of Edward the third , and then the Lord Bartholomew Burwash this mans Grandchild , conveyed them to Sir Walter de Paveley Knight of the Garter , and he , in the first year of Richard the second , passed them away to Windlesor or Windsor : in which Family the Inheritance was placed , untill the fifteenth year of this Prince's Reign , and then they were conveyed to Sir Lewis Clifford ; but in this Name they made no long abode neither . For , about the middle of Henry the sixth , I find they were alienated to Colepeper ; and I discover , Richard Colepeper enjoyed them at his decease , which was in the second year of Richard the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 28. and in this Family was the Possession lodged , untill the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then the vicissitude of Purchase brought them to acknowledge the Interest of Leigh , and Thomas Leigh exchanged them with K. Henry the eighth ; and that Prince in the thirty seventh year of his Reign , passed them away to Sir Thomas Wriothesley : and in the original grant it is recited , that they devolved to the Crown by exchange with Thomas Leigh Esquire , and he not long after demised them to Sir Robert Southwell , who in the second year of Queen Mary conveyed them to Sir Thomas Pope , in which Family they remained untill the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then they were alienated to Wiseman , from whom almost in our Memory they were by Sale translated into the Patrimony of Sir Oliver Boteler of Teston , Grandfather to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet , who now is entituled to the Proprietie of them .

The Ropers held some Estate here at Ditton by Purchase from Clifford in the Reign of Henry the fifth , which Edmund Son of Ralph Roper died seised of , in the third year of Henry the sixth as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 33. which his Successor not long after alienated to Colepeper .

Dodington in the Hundred of Eyhorne , contains severall places in it , of no contemptible Estimate . The first is Sharsted , which was the Patrimony of a Family which was known by that Sirname . Robert de Sharsted enjoyed it at his death , which was in the eighth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc . Num. 61. But after this mans departure , I do not find that it owned this Family any farther , for this mans Sole Daughter and heir was matched to John de Bourne Son of John de Bourne , who was Sheriff of Kent the twenty second , the twenty third , and twenty fourth years of Edw. the first , and after in the fifth year of Edward the third : Certainly , this Family was in times of a very high Gradation , as eminent for Estate , as it was venerable for its Antiquitie ; Henry de Bourne made a Purchase of Lands and Rents in Duddington , of Matilda the Daughter of John de Duddington , ( as appears by a Fine levyed in the forty seventh year of Henry the third ; and the above-mentioned John de Bourn obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Bourne , Boxley Dodington , and other places , in the eighteenth year of Edward the first ; and from this John de Bourne , did Mr. William Bourne in an even stream of Descent issue forth , who almost in our Remembrance , passed away Sharsted-Court to Mr. Delawne of London , whose Son Mr. ....... Delawne is the instant Proprietarie of it .

Ringleston is a second place of note in this Parish : of which there is a Tradition , that it borrows its principal Appellation from a Ring and a Stone ; which those who were Tenants to this Mannor were to hold for such a proportion of time , as an embleme of their acknowledged Homage and Subjection : But this is but a fabulous romance in the whole frame of it ; the truth is , Ring , in Saxon , imports as much as Borough or Village , so that Ringleston signifies no more but the Village-Stone , that is , some eminent Stone which was placed there , to signifie and discover the utmost extent and limits of the Borough . Having unveil'd the Name , and dispelled the Mist of the former fiction , I shall now exhibite to the publique view , who were the ancient Possessors of it ; and first I find the Chalfehunts , a Familie of a spreading Demeasne and no lesse reputation in this Track ; Henry de Chalfehunt died possest of it in the forty fifth year of Edward the third Rot. Esc . Num. 14. After him Humfrey Son and heir of Thomas Chalfehunt was in the enjoyment of it at his Death which was in the ninth year of Richard the second Rot. Esc . Num. 14. After this Family was expired , the Hadds a Family which was sometimes written Haddis and sometimes le Hadde , ( which argues it to be of French Etymologie ) was planted in the Possession , and remained many years invested in the Fee , till about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth , it passed away by Sale from them to Archer , from whom not many years after the same fatalitie brought it to devolve to Thatcher , who not many years since alienated both the Title and Demeasn to Allen ; and he in our Memory , sold one moitie of it to Ford , and setled the other proportion of it upon his Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Giles .

Down-Court in Dodington , is an ancient Mannor , which in elder times owned the Signorie of Simon de Dodington , who flourished here in the Reign of K. John , and Henry the third , and was entituled likewise to the Patronage or Advouson of the Church : but he determined in an only Daughter called Matilda de Dodington , who in the forty first of King Henry the third ( as appears by a Fine levied in that year ) passed away her Interest here to John de Bourne in which Family the Title many years after rested , untill about the latter end of Henry the sixth it was conveyed to Dungate of Dungate-Street in Kingsdowne . And Andrew Dungate the last of this Name at this place , dying without Issue male , his sole Daughter and Heir was marched to Killigrew , who likewise about the entrance of Henry the eighth , expired in two female Coheirs , whereof one was wedded to Roydon ; the second to Cowland . In Roydon The Pssession was but brief ; for he , about the latter end of Henry the eighth , alienated his Proportion to Adye , a Name deeply rooted in this Track , whose Successor Mr. John Adye still enjoyes the capitall Messuage or Mansion called Down-Court ; but the Mannor it self which accrued to John Cowland upon the Division of the Estate was by his Will , made 1540. ordered to be sold to discharge Debts and Legacies , and was according to the Tenure of the premises , not long after conveyed to Allen , Ancestor to him who is the instant owner of it .

Downe , in the Hundred of Rokesley , is so called from its eminent situation ; it was in times of elder Aspect , the Habitation of a Family which passed under that Sirname . Richard de Downe who flourished under Edward the first , and Edward the second , lies buried in the Chancell of the Church , but with no date upon his Tombe : Soon after this Family was expired , the Petleys became Lords of the Fee , and Stephen Petley is Recorded in the Book of Aid , to have paid an Auxiliary supply for Lands at Down , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third : and in this Family was the Title of this place successively wrapped up for many Generations , untill about the latter end of Henry the eighth , it melted away with the Name . For Jo. Petley resolved into four Daughters and Coheirs , Agnes the eldest was matched to Jo. Manning , the second was espoused to Bird , the third was wedded to Casinghurst of Valous , and the fourth was married to Childrens : and upon partition of the Estate this Mannor fell to be the Inheritance of Manning , and in this Name for many years it remained constant , untill in our Fathers Remembrance , it went away by Sale to Sir Nicholas Carew of Beddington in Surrey , and his Son Sir Francis Carew , conveyed it to Ellis of London , who not many years since alienated his Right in it to Colonel Richard Sandys , third Son of Sir Edward Sandys of Northbourne ; but Down-Court was long before passed away by Manning to Palmer , which was separated from the Mannor of Downe , and singly sold by it self .

The Arms of Philipot and Petley , are extant in the South-window of the Chancell , with this Inscription affixed to the Pedestall of their two Pourtraicttures , Orate pro Animabus Jo. Petley , & Christiana Uxoris , & Jo. Petley & Aliciae Filiae Tho. Philipot ........ ac Parentum corum .

E. E. E. E.

EGerton in the Hundred of Calehill , hath two places within the Verge of it remarkable : The first is Barmeling , which was the Seat of a Family of that Sirname , Robert de Bermeling , and in old datelesse Deeds called Sir Robert de Barmeling : he held it at his Decease , which was in the fifty third year of Henry the third , and left Issue William de Bermeling , who was also in the enjoyment of it at his Death , which was in the twenty second year of Edward the first , and so did Robert de Bermeling who made his Exit the thirty first of Edward the first , and here in this Family hath the Propriety by an undivided Track of Succession ; been so fixed and permanent , that it is yet the unseperated Inheritance of this Name of Barmeling .

The second is Bruscombe : This was a Branch of that Demeasn which formerly acknowledg'd the Chitcrofts for its Possessors , a Name of very great Antiquity both here and at Lamberherst . Agnes wife of Richard Chitcroft held it at her Death , which was in the eighteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 198. After Chitcroft was worn out , the Beaumonts were invested in the Possession , and John de Bellemont or Beaumont deceased in the enjoyment of it , in the twentieth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 14. But not long after this the Title ebbed away from this Name , and by a successive Channel of Vicissitude , was powred into Baron , a Family originally extracted out of the West , where they are yet in being ; John Baron died seised of Bruscombe the second year of Henry the fifth . The Family which succeeded this in the Inheritance , upon their Recesse which was about the latter end of Henry the sixth , were the Wottons of Boughton Malherbe , in which Family the Title and Propriety hath been ever since so constantly resident , that it still rests in the Descendants and Heirs of Tho. Lord Wotton of Marley .

Eltham in the Hundred of Black heath , anciently called Ealdham , did anciently belong in part to the King , and partly to the Mandevills , from whence it came to be called Eltham Mandeville . King Edward the first granted that Moiety which belonged to himself to John de Vescy a potent Baron in the North , in the ninth year of his Reign , and in the twelfth year , ennobles his former Concession , and gives him a new Grant to hold a Market weekly and a Fair yearly at his Mannor of Eltham . In the fourteenth year of the abovesaid Prince , John de Vescy with his Knowledge and Consent , made an Exchange with Walter de Mandevill , for that Proportion of Eltham in which he was Interessed , and gave the sixth part of the Mannor of Luton in Bedfordshire , for one Messuage with the Appurtenances in Eltham and Modingham : This John de Vescy died without Issue in the eighteenth of Edward the first , and William his Brother succeeded in the Possession , and was Lord Vescy , and had Issue by Isabell Daughter of Robert Perington , Widow of Sir Robert de Wells , William de Vescy his lawfull Son born in the year 1269 , who died without Issue in his Fathers life Time at Conway , and was buryed at Malton . Then William de Vescy having a base Son called William Vescy de Kildare born at Compston in the County of Kildare 1292 , * * Fines de Anno 24. Ed. primi Will. de Vescy sold to Anth. Beck , Bishop of Durham the Mannor of Eltham with the Appurtinances which Isabell the Widow of John de Vescy held for term of her Life . begotten upon Dergavile his Concubine , Daughter to Dunwald a petty Prince in Ireland , he made a Feoffment of all his Lands in England , to Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham to the use of William Vescy of Kildare his base Son ; and also infeoffed King Edward in Kildare in Ireland , and in Sproxton , in Scotland for Licence of his good Leave and Assent to the other Feoffment .

William de Vescy of Kildare was slain in the Warrs of Stripling in Scotland . The King of England himself being then present in Person ; By which means the State being in the Bishop of Durham , he disposed of Alnewike Castle in the North , to Henry de Percy , that had married Idonia de Clifford : and considering that the Estate of Lands at Eltham came from the Crown ; the said Bishop reserving an estate for life , disposed of them back again to the Crown : he himself dyed there , the twenty eighth of March 1311. In the fifth year of Edward the second , and had bestowed great cost in building there . The Stone-work of the outward Gate being Castle-like , is a remnant of the work of that Time : The Palace it self being much more modern and Augmented by several additions of the Kings of England , who in a manner kept here their constant residence , and here were made the Statutes of Eliham , the precedents for Government of the Kin●s House to this day . The Bishop of Durham being dead , K. Edward the second kept his residence here , 1315 , 9 , Edw. 2. and his Q. was here brought to bed of a Son called John of Eliham .

K. Edward the third intending to give a princely reception to K. John of France , which had been Prisoner in England , and came over to visit the King , 1363. and dyed before his return , entertained him here at Eltham .

K. Henry the fourth kept his last Christmas at Eliham . 1412.

K. Henry the fifth his Son and Successor , lay there at Christmas likewise , when he was fain to depart suddenly for fear of some that had conspired to murther him .

K. Henry sixth made it his principal place of residence , and granted the Tenants of the Mannor of Eltham , a Charter of renovation of a Market in the seventeenth of his reign ; which containeth more ample priviledges than any such grant that yet I have seen , as will be likewise evident to those who will peruse the original Record of that year in the Tower of London .

K. Edward the fourth greatly to his cost repaired the House , Pat. Anno 21. Edw. 3. pars 2. Memb. 2. and inclosed Hornpark , so called , being the Site of the Mannor of West-horn , which was anciently in the Kings Demeasne ; For King Edward the third , in the twenty first year of his reign granted liberty to all his Tenants of this Mannor to be toll-free throughout England .

K. Henry the seventh set up the fair Front there , towards the Moat , and was usually resident there . I find in a Record , ( in the Office of Arms ) that he did usually dine in the Hall , and all his Officers kept their Tables there ; and at such time as he created Stanley Baron Monteagle , by reason of some Infection then reigning in and near the City of London none were permitted to dine in the Kings Hall but the officers of Arms , who at the serving in the Kings second Course of meat according to the Custome , came and proclaimed the Kings style , and the style of the said new Lord .

King Henry the eighth built much at Greenwich with Bricks made here at Eltham , and then neglected this place ; yet he lived here sometime , and kept a royal Christmass at this place , 1515. There is an ancient place in this Parish called Henleys , which in the time of King Edward the third , was a Marnor belonging to John de Henley , whose House was moated about , the situation is yet extant below the Conduit-head ; but he dying without Issue , it came by his guift to King Edward the third , and was annexed unto the Mannor by William de Brantingham his Feoffee .

The Mannor East-horn and Well-hall , was in the year 1100. possest by Jordan de Iriset or Brinset first establisher of the Order of Knights Hospitallers here in England . In Ages of a lower Descent , that is , in the reign of Edward the third , it was held by Iohn de Poultney , and from that Family about the reign of Richard the second , it devolved by Sale to Chichley ; Iohn Tatterst all married Agnes the Daughter of Iohn Chichley of Wolwich Son of William Chichley Alderman of London , and by her had Well-hall and East-horn ; he had Issue by her two Daughters , Ann was married unto Sir Ralph Hastings , and Margery was married unto Iohn Roper Esquire : and Agnes their Mother was remarried to Will . Kene , who likewise had Issue by her , from whom the Mansells of Wales are extracted , and by this Descent are of the Blood and Kindred of Henry Chichley Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Founder of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford : but Well-hall and East-horn , were united to the patrimony of Roper , and have continued here so fixed that they are the present Inheritance of Edward Roper Esquire .

To this Mannor the Chancel of St. Michael in the South-side of Eltham Church belongeth called sometimes Tatershalls Chancel . In the windows , the Matches before mentioned are impaled in Coloured glass .

The utmost extent of this Hundred East-ward reacheth to Shooters-Hill , so called of the Thievery there practised , where Travellers in elder Times were so much infested with Depraedations and bloody mischiefs ; that order was taken in the sixth of Richard the second , for the enlarging the High-way according to the Statute made in the Time of King Edward the first , so that they venter still to rob here , by prescription ; Pat. 6. R. 2. pars 2. Mem. 34. and some have been so impudent , to offer to engage the Sun shining at mid-day , for the repayment of money called borrowed , in a Theevish way , to the great charge of the Hundred that still was in the Counter-bond ; and King Henry the fourth granted leave to Thomas Chapman , to cut down , burn , and sell , all the Woods , and Under-woods growing and confining to Shooters-Hill , Pat. 7. H. 4. pars 2. Memb. 12. on the South-side , and to bestow the money raised thereby , upon mending the High-way . Surely Prince Henry his Son , and Sir John Falstaffe his make-sport , so merrily represented in Shakespear's Comedies , for examining the Sandwich Carriers , loading at this place ; were not the Surveyers .

Mottingham in the Hundred of Blackheath , is a Hamlet and member to Eltham , enjoying like priviledges , which are annexed to both these places , as being of ancient Demealn . It was formerly written Modingham , denoting that it was proudly situated , ( for so we interpret Mod in old English : ) It passed away from the Crown , with the Mannor of Eltham to Jo. de Vescy , and returned back again with it , inhabited in the time of K. Edw. the third by the Family of Bankwell ; and after , in the reign of H. the sixth , by the Chesmans : the last of which Name which held this place , was Tho. Chesman , whose Female-heir Alice , brought this Seat to her Husband Rob. Stodder , Ancestor to Will . Stodder Esq ; not long since deceased , who was proprietary of it .

A strange and marvellous Accident happened at this place upon the fourth day of August 1585 , in a Field which belongeth to Sir Percival Hart. Betimes in the morning , the ground began to sink , so much , that three great Elme-Trees were suddenly swallowed into the Pit ; the tops falling downward into the hole : And before ten of the Clock , they were so overwhelmed , that no part of them might be discerned , the Concave being suddenly filled with water : the Compass of the hole was about 80. yards , and so profound , that a sounding line of fifty Fathoms , could hardly find or feel any bottome ; ten yards distance from that place ; there was another piece of ground sunk in like manner , near the high-way , and so nigh a dwelling house , that the Inhabitants were greatly terrified therewith .

Edenbridge in the Hundred of Westerham , was ever esteemed a Chappel of ease , to the Parish of Westerham . The first that I discover by the beams of Record , to have been possest of Edenbridge , were the Stangraves , who had here their capital Mansion , which was known by their Name . John de Stangrave obtained a Charter of Free-warren to Edenbridge , in the twenty sixth year of Edw. the first . Sir Rob. de Stangrave was his Son and Heir , who was with Edw. the first , at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland , and there for his generous Service received the Order of Knighthood , and dyed seised of Edenbridge and Stangrave , the twelfth year of E. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 52. After the Stangraves were vanished , the Dynleys were setled in the Signory of these above-mentioned places ; Jo. de Dynley had a Confirmation of the Chatter of Free-warren to Eden-bridge , in the fourteenth year of Edward the third , and immediately after passed away his Interest here to Hugh de Audley Earl of Gloucester , Lord of the Mannor and Castle of Tunbridge , by whose Daughter and Heir , the Lady Margaret Audley , Stangrave and Edenbridge , came to acknowledge the Signory of Ralph Stafford , Earl of Stafford , and he dyed seised of them in the forty sixth year of Edward the third ; and in this Family of Stafford , as they were successively Earls of Stafford , and Dukes of Buckingham , was the propriety of these places resident , untill the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and then Edward Duke of Buckingham , Lord high Constable of England , having unadvisedly consulted with a Monk and a Wizzard touching the Succession of the Crown , fomented so Vast a Stock of Fears and Jealousies in the Brain of that Cautious Prince , that they could not be extinguished but by his Blood , which was poured out on a Scaffold as the last expiation of that Treason , which was by Cardinal Wolsey pinn'd upon him , and likewise of his Prince's Fury . Upon this his untimely Exit , his Estate escheated to the Crown , and King Henry the eighth not many years after , granted Westerham , Eden Bridge , and Stangrave , which were parcell of the Confiscation , to Sir John Gresham Knight , from whom they by Descent are now devolved to Marmaduke Gresham Esquire , who enjoys the instant Possession of them .

Delaware is a Seat of very venerable Account in this Parish : It was the Seat of Gentlemen of that Name as high as the Reign of Henry the second , as appears by old Evidences , now in the Hands of Mr. Seyliard ; of which , Robert de la Ware was the last , who about the latter end of Edward the third , went out without Issue-male : so that Dionysia Delaware , who was matched to William Paulin , became Heir to this place . In Paulin it remained constantly resident , till the beginning of the Rule of Henry the sixth , and then William Paulin determined in a Daughter and Heir likewise , who was wedded to John Seyliard of Seyliard in Hever , which is still in the Possession of Mr. Seyliard of Gabriells in this Parish ; and who descended from Ralph de Seyliard , who flourished about the Reign of King Stephen : In an old Pedigree of Seyliard , now treasured up amongst the Evidences of Delaware , there is enrolled the Coppy of a Deed without date , by which , Almerick d'Eureux Earl of Gloucester , who flourished in the Reign of Henry the third , demises Lands to Martin at Seyliard , and other Lands called Hedinden to Richard at Seyliard , who were Sons of Ralph : from which Ralph , John Seyliard Esquire , now Proprietary of this an●●ent Mansion of Delaware , by a Steady and unbroken Current of many Descents in a Direct Line is originally extracted .

The Mannor of Sharnden in this Parish , was parcell of that Estate which belonged to the Lords Cobham , of Sterborough Castle not far distant , and continued folded up in the Patrimony of this Family , till the Government of Edward the fourth ; and then Thomas Lord Cobham of Sterborough deceasing without Issue-male , Anne , matched to Edward Lord Borough of Gainsborough , became his Heir : in which Name and Family , the Title of this place successively streamed down , till almost our Times ; and then the Lady Katharine Borough , to whom it was assigned by Thomas Lord Borough her Husband , to defray Debts and other Uses , passed it away to Sir Edward Richardson , Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , whose Grandchild the Lord Edward Richardson Baron of Cromartie in Scotland , does now possesse the Signory and Inheritance of it .

Elham in the Hundred of Lovingborough , is anciently written Helham , which denotes the Situation of it in a Valley amongst Hills . Though now the Magnificent Structures , which in elder Times were here , be dismantled , and have only left a Masse of deplored Rubble to direct us were they stood , yet in Dooms-day Book it is written , ( that the Earl of Ewe a Norman , and neere in Alliance to the Conquerour ) held it , and left the Reputation of an Honour unto it , as the Record of the Aid granted at the making the Black Prince Knight in the twentieth of Ed. the third , doth warrant . For the Mannor of Mount adjacent to Elham , is said to be held of the Honour of the Earl of Ewe by Knights Service . In Testa de Nevill , there is mention of Gilbert Earl of Ewe , who then paid respective Aid in the twentieth year of Henry the third , at the Marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister . From this Gilbert Earl of Ewe , it went away to Edward eldest Son to Henry the third , who obtained a Market and Fair to Elham , by Charter in the thirty fifth of Henry the third , and after he had fortified it with these Priviledges , in the forty first year of the abovesaid Prince , conveys it by Sale to Boniface of Savoy , Arch-bishop of Canterbury . Boniface , to decline the Envy and Emulation of his English Opposites , which he and the rest of those Forreiners and Aliens , had contracted upon themselves , by their practicall Turbulencies in the Managery of the principal Affairs of State , under Henry the third , passed it away by Sale to Roger Lord Leybourne , a great Partisan and Confederate of Simon de Montforts , the popular Earl of Leicester , in his Quarrel commenced against Henry the third , about removing of Strangers both from his Counsells and Throne , for which after the Battle of Evesham ; where that Simon was defeated and slain , he was by the Pacification made at Kenelworth , in the fiftieth year of Henry the third , absolved and pardoned ; soon after which he dyed , and left this Mannor with much other Revenue , to his Son Henry Leybourn and he was seised of it at his Death , which was in the twenty eighth year of Edward the first , from whom it went down to his Son Sir Roger Leybourn , who dying without Issue-male , Juliana Leybourn his Sole Daughter and Inheritrix , entred upon the Inheritance , and she was first wedded to John de Hastings , and after to William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , but by neither had she any Surviving Issue , nor yet any collateral Alliance , that could put in any pretended Claim to rescue it from an Escheat , so that in the forty third year of Edward the third , in which year she dyed , it devolved to the Crown ; and Richard the second granted it to Sir Simon de Burley , Knight of the Garter , and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , a Man of great Virtues , and no lesse Vices ; whose Pride and Ambition first galled others , and lastly wounded himself , and like some Physick , wanting a peccant Matter to work upon , preys upon the Vitalls themselves . For bandying against some of the Nobility , who pretended the Preservation and Sheltring of the peoples Interest against the impetuous Eruptions of an arbitrary Prerogative , he was empeached of high Treason in the tenth year of Richard the second , and was convicted and executed , upon whose Calamitous Tragedie , this by Escheat reverts to the Crown ; and the abovesaid Prince in the twelfth year of his Reign , by Grant , annexes it to the Revenue of the Canons of St. Stephens in Westminster , where it was fixed untill the publick Suppression removed it , and united it once more to the Patrimony of the Crown , Richard de Albaney principall Butler to King . William Rufus , gave the Tithes of Elham to St. Andrews in Rochester See Textus Roffensis and then King Edward the sixth , granted it , in Lease for fourscore years , to Sir Edward Wotton , one of his Privie Councell , whose Son Thomas Wotton Esquire , passed it away by Sale to Alexander Hamon Esquire , who determining in two Daughters and Coheirs , Mary married to Sir Edward Bois of Fredvill , and Katharine wedded to Sir Robert Lewknor , this in his Wifes Right came over to the last : but the Reversion in Fee was in the Beginning of the late King Charles , by Sir Charles Herbert Master of the Revells purchased of the Crown ; and he some few years since , alienated all his Concernment in this Mannor to Mr. Alst a Dutch Merchant of London .

Elham , had the Grant of a Market procured to it , on the Monday , by the power of Prince Edward , in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third , which was after allowed and approved of before the Judges Itinerant , when he was King , in the seventh year of his Reign .

Shotle●field in Elham , was , as high as the Reign of Edward the second , the Inheritance of a Family called le Grubbe , who had Possessions of a considerable Value , about Yalding by Maidston , and Nonington in East-Kent : In the third year of Edward the second , Henry Peres , and in another old Deed , styled Pers or de Petris , from his Habitation nere some place of a Rocky constitution , demises some parcels of Land lying in Elham , and Lyming , to Thomas le Grubbe , who is written in the Deed de Shotlesfield , and from this Thomas , did the Title descend by paternal Devolution to John Grubbe , who in the second year of Richard the third conveyed it by Sale to Thomas Brockman of Liming , and his Grandchild Henry Brockman in the first year of Queen Mary , alienated it to George Fogge of Brabourn Esquire , and he about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , sold his Interest in it to Bing , who in that Age which was circumscribed within our Fathers Remembrance , transplanted the Title by Sale into Mr. John Masters of Sandwich , from whom it descended to Sir Ed. Masters of Canterbury ; and he , upon his late Decease , gave it to Dr ..... Masters his second Son Dr. of the Civil-Law .

Mount and South Blabden with Jaques Court , were Mannors which were involved in the Patrimony of Anketellus de Rosse , and he in the twentieth year of W●lliam the Conquerour , held them as appears by the Record of Dooms-day Book : from which Name they passed away to Cosenton with Acris , but with this Clause reserved , that South-Blabden and Acris should hold the Mannor of Horton by knights Service , which was a principall Seat of this Family of Rosse , before it was sold to Kirkby ; In the seventh year of King Edward the third , Stephen de Cosington obtained a Charter of Free-warren to these above recited Mannors . This Man was Son and Heir of William de Cosenton , who was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty fifth year of Edward the first , and is sometimes written of Cosenton and sometimes of Mount in Elham , and from these two did Sir John Cosenton extract his Genealogie , and with it his Title to these two Mannors ; and he deceasing about the latter end of Henry the eighth , without Issue-male , his three Daughters , ....... married to Duke , Joan matched to Wood , and Elizabeth wedded to Alexander Hamon Esquire , became his three Coheirs , and parted a large Patrimony . Upon the Division Wood obtained South-Blabden and Jaques Court , and Hamon carried away Mount : Wood's Heir alienated the two first to Sir John Wilde of Canterbury , whose Son Colonell Dudley Wilde , upon his late Decease , hath bequeathed them to his Widow during Life : Hamon's Heir determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , Mary was espoused to Sir Edward Bois of Fredvill , and Catharine was matched to Sir Robert Lewknor , descended from the noble and Illustrious Family of Lewknor in Sussex , who in his Wifes right was invested in the Possession of Mount , who upon his Death , transmitted it to his Son Mr. Hamon Lewknor , whose Widow Mrs. ..... Lewknor , eldest Daughter to Dr. Hen. Kingsley Arch-deacon of Canterbury is now in the enjoyment of it .

Canterwood is another Mannor in this Parish , whose Possessors , I confesse , I could never trace out , by any Print of publick Record ; therefore I endeavoured to give my self Satisfaction , by the private Evidences : but , the Heir being under Age , the Deeds were deposited in the Hands of those who represented my Design in Surveying them through the Mists of Cautious Jealousies and Distrusts , and so my Attempt became fruitlesse . All the Intelligence I could gain ( as in Relation to that place ) was collected from an old Manuscript , whose Hand seems contemporary to the Time of Henry the eighth , and what I have drained from thence , I shall now represent to the Reader . Canterwood , says this Escript , was formerly the Estate of Thomas de Garwinton de Welle in Littlebourne , who flourished in the Reign of Edw. the second , and Edw. the third , whose great Grandchild Will . Garwinton dying without Issue , Joan his Kinswoman , matched to Richard Haut , was , in the ninth year of Henry the fourth , found to be his Heir , not only to this place , but to much other Land in this Territory ; and she had Issue Richard Haut , who concluded in a Female Heir , whose Name was Margery , who by matching with William Isaack , linked this Mannor to his Revenue . Thus farre this Manuscript . Who were the Possessors since , the Court-Rolls which do not ascend very high , now in the Custody of Mr. Hugben , discover : The first Family which they recite is Hales , and it remained in the Inheritance of that Name , till towards the end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was by Sale transported over to Manwood , who some few years after , disposed of his Interest in it , by the same Alienation to Sir Rob. Lewknor , upon whose Decease it devolved to his Son Mr. Hamon Lewknor Esquire , who hath upon his Death during the Minority of his Son left the Possession to be enjoyed by his Widow .

Bowick is a sixth place , which must now come within the pale of this Discourse . It was in Times of elder Inscription the Seat of the Lads , who in diverse of their ancient Muniments and Evidences writ de Lad. Now if you will know , where that place is seated , I answer , it is situated in Chart by Sutton , where there is an ancient Farme , which formerly had the Repute of a Mannor , and is at this instant , as it was in Ages of a higher Step , known by the Name of Lads , and was till , almost our Grandfathers Memory , in the Tenure of that Family ; after Lad was departed from the Possession of this Place , the Nethersolls , by Purchase were , about the Beginning of Henry the seventh , incorporated into the Possession , and staid in it some few years , and then alienated their Interest here to Aucher , who about the latter end of Henry the eighth , resigned the Title by Sale to Wroth , in which Family it was resident , until some few years since it was passed away to Elgar .

Oxroad is a seventh Mannor in Elham . In a very old Court-Roll , now in the hands of Mr. Shetterden of Eltham , one John de Oxroad is represented to be the Possessor : and in others of a more modern Complexion , which bear date from Henry the fourth , and so downwards , untill the beginning of Henry the eighth , the Hinckleys are discovered to us to be the Proprietaries of it , and then this Name was extinguished in a Daughter and Heir : for Isabell was the only Child of Thomas Hinckley , who by espousing Joan Bene , carried this place into the Possession of that Family , where it was constantly fixed , untill of late years , the Title was by Sale transplanted into Mr. Daniell Shetterden of Eltham , descended from the Shetterdens of Shetterden in great Chart , which Land they have possest for diverse hundreds of years .

Ladwood is an eighth Mannor in this Parish , written in old Evidences Ladswood , from whence we may spin out a more then probable Conjecture , that , before the erecting the house by Rolfe , it was a Wood belonging to Lad of Bowick ; but for some hundreds of years , that is , since the latter end of Edward the third , it hath constantly related to the Family of Rolfe , a Name which Mr. Thinne conjectures in a Pedigree which he collected of this Family , was contracted from the ancient German Name Rodolphus : and Mr. Lambert , in his Kentish Perambulation , mentions one Rolph a Saxon , who added much to the Castle of Rochester , from whom it is not altogether improbable , this Family , which hath been so ancient at Elham , might extract their first original .

Clavertie is the last place in this Parish , which may exact our mention : it did belong before the Suppression to the Knights Hospitallers , and was one of those places , in this Track , which was a Commaundry to the more general Seminary of this Order planted at Edwell . Upon the Dissolution of this Order , here in England , by Henry the eighth , who condemned their Disorder and Luxury , only to improve his own , like the Lapwing , who cries most when she is farthest off from her Nest , this was added to the Demeasne of the Crown : and King Edward the sixth granted it to Peter Heyman Esquire , who was one of the Gentlemen off his Bedchamber , and great Grandfather to Sir Henry Hamon Baronet , who was the late Proprietarie of this Mannor of Claverty , a person to whom if I should not affirm my self signally and extraordinarily engaged , I deserved to be represented to Posterity under the darkest Complexion of Ingratitude .

Eightam , Hamon de Crevequer held Eigtham in the Reign of K. John , and then Sim. de Crioll , in the Reign of Henry the third , as appears by old Evidences . vulgarly but corruptly and falsely called Ightam , lies in the Hundred of Wrotham , and hath that Denomination imposed upon it , from the eight Hams or Boroughs which lie within the Verge of it . The first is Eightham it self , the second is Redwell , the third is Ivie-Hatch , the fourth is Barrow Green , the fifth is St. Cleres , the sixth is the Moat , the seventh is Beaulies , and the eighth and last is Oldborough , which puts in its Claim to be of Roman originall ; for when Leland visited Kent , which was about the beginning of Henry the eighth , there was some Remains of an ancient Fortification : and it is probable that this being the way which led to the great Roman Colonie at Noviomagum , now called Woodcot in Surrey , was at this place fortified upon all emergent occasions , to secure their Retreat , from any hostile Eruption . The Mannor of Eightam it self , was the Possession of William de Inge , one of the Judges in the Reign of Edward the second : this William de Inge was by his Country and Parentage of the County of Bedford , and had Issue William de Inge , who matched with Margery , Daughter of Henry Grapenell , and dyed seised , in the fifteenth of Edward the second , of this Mannor of Eightham : his Daughter and Heir Joan was wedded to Eudo Lord Zouch of Harringworth , and William le Zouch of Harringworth , dyed possest of it , in the fifteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 64. And in this Name was the Propriety of this place , for sundry Generations successively resident , untill the beginning of Henry the seventh , and then it was alienated to Sir Robert Read Serjeant at Law , and Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , who not long after going out in four Daughters and Coheirs , Dorothy matched to Sir Edw. Wotton , Margaret married to Sir John Harecourt of Elnall in the County of Stafford , Katharine wedded to Sir Thomas Willoughbie Lord Chief Justice of the Common pleas , and Eliz. espoused to Tho. Totihurst Esq ; they divided his Inheritance , and this Mannor : upon the Distinction of it into parcells , this was added to the Revenue of Willoughby ; from which Family , in our Grandfathers Remembrance , it passed away by Sale to Jam. descended from Jacob van Hastrecht who was anciently seated in Cleve , Ancestor to Will . James aliàs Hastretcht Esquire , thrice Knight of the Shire , within the Circle of five years , who by Paternall Derivation , is now Lord of this Mannor of Eightam .

Before I leave this Discourse of Eightam , I must inform the Reader of two things . First that Edward the second , in the ninth year of his Reign , granted Licence to Will . de Inge the Judge , to hold a Market here Weekly on the Monday , and a Fair yearly at Eightham , by the space of three days , viz. the Vigill , the day of St. Peter and Paul , and the day after . Secondly that the Family of James now Possessors of Eightam , were originally called Hastrecht , as being Lords of a place of that Name neer Gouda , and were branched out from the ancient Family of Arkell , Ex Autographis penes Do. Will . James . as likewise was that of Bouteslaw , both which Families bear the same Coat , without any visible Distinction with Haestrecht , viz. Argent two Barrs Crenelle or Counterembattel'd Gules three Pheon ; or Broad Arrow Heads , in Chief Sables . Roger James , Son of Jacob van Hastrecht , came out of Cleve , ( whither his Ancestor a yonger Son of the Lord of Hastrecht , had been chased by one of the Lords of Holland , because his Father , who likewise was forced to Drunen neer Huesden , by that Count , had been an eager Partisan of his enemy , the Bishop of Vtretcht ) into England , about the beginning of Hen. the eighth , and being called after the Belgick mode , Roger Jacobs , the English by a more soft and gentle pronunciation , filed off the roughnesse of the Accent and by melting it into a more narrow Volume , contracted it into James . By marriage , the Family of Haestrecht and Arkell above mentioned , are allyed to the eminent House of Wassenaer , issued out from the ancient Counts of Holland , as likewise to the Family of Waermont neer Leyden , who matched with the Heir of Hastrecht of Drunen , ( where this Family had for many Descents been planted , ever since their first expulsion thither , by the Earl of Holland ) who was Colonel of a Regiment of Foot , and Drosart of Breda , when it was under the Government and Scepter of the King of Spain .

St. Cleres is the second place of Note in this Parish ; it was formerly called Aldham , as being for many years the Patrimony of that Family , the last of which was Sir Tho. de Aldham , who resolved into three Female Coheirs : ....... matched to Newborough of the County of Dorsett , Margery matched to Martin de Pecham , and Isolda wedded to John St. Clere. Upon the partition of his patrimony , this place was , about the beginning of Ed. the third , annexed to the Inheritance of St. Clere , and so it becamein procedure of Time styled Aldham St. Cleres : but Custome and vulgar Use did not long after file off the first Appellation , so that it hath for diverse Generations , been styled singly St. Cleres . Isolda St. Clere Widow of this John , did , in the twentieth year of Edward the third pay respective Aid , for her Lands at Eightham , at the making the Black Prince Knight . And in this Family did the Stream of Possession carry down the Possession of this place , till towards the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then it was alienated from this Name and setled in Richard Empson , the grand Projector , who had wire-drawn , by his close and dextrous Artifices , the Treasure of the Kingdome into such subtile Threads , as he had almost wound it all into the Kings Exchequer : But he being convicted of Felony for his many Excesses , in the first year of Henry the eighth , this was confiscated to the Crown , and there it was not many years after by that Prince , granted to Sir Thomas Bullen Knight of the Garter , and created Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire , in the year 1529 , whose infortunate Son George Viscount Rochford , being blasted with the black Aspersion of Treason , which was multiplyed and inforced to that Bulke , that the weight of it sunk him upon a Bloody and untimely Scaffold , and then this Mannor upon the Death of his Father , which was in the thirtyeth year of Hen. the eighth , was seised on by the Crown , as being setled before on him and his Heirs male , of whom this unhappy Lord was the last : Some few years after , it was by Royall Concession from the abovesaid Prince , made the Patrimony of George Moulton Esquire , of Moulton in Hadloe , a Man of high Repute in those Times , and much interessed in the Favour of Henry the eighth : whose Grandchild Robert Moulton Esquire , almost in Times within the pale of our Remembrance , alienated his Right in it to Sir John Sydley Knight and Baronet , who hath upon the old Foundation erected that magnificent Pile , which for the Grandeur , Elegance , and Majestick Aspect it carryes to the publick View , surrenders a Priority , but to few Structures in this County .

The Moat is the third and last place which summons our Remembrance . It was in elder Times the Inheritance of Ivo de Haut , who flourished in the Reign of King John , and Henry the third : his Grandchild was Henry de Haut , who held this Mannor at his Decease , which was in the forty fourth of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 34. his Grandchild was Nicholas Haut , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the ninteenth year of Richard the second . Afterwards , I find that Richard Haut Grandchild to this Man was Sheriff of Kent , the eighteenth year of Edward the fourth : and again in the twenty second year of the abovesaid Prince , he was second Brother to Sir William Haut of Hautsbourne , who was Sheriff of Kent in the sixth yeer of Edward the fourth , and great Uncle to Sir William Haut . But this Richard Haut , having with John Fogge , John Guldford Esquire , John Darell Esquire , James Horne of Westwell , William Clifford , Reginald Pimpe , John Pimpe , and Edward Poynings of Marsham or Mersham , embarked himself in the Designs of Henry Earl of Richmond , John Darell Esq ; and John Pimpe Esquire , had the Grant of thirteen Mannors lying in Worcester-shire , made to them , which accrued to the Crown upon the Attaint of Humphrey Stafford Esquire , in the second year of Henry the seventh , as appears Origin . Anni 2. Hen. 7. Rot. 17. in the Treasurers side in the Exchequer . and the emotion of Henry Duke of Buckingham , he was attainted in the third year of Richard the third , as appears Rot. Par. de Anno 3. R. 3. Memb. 6. And then the Moat , by the Favour and Indulgence of that Prince , was conferred on Sir Rob. Brakenbury , Lieutenant of the Tower : but he enjoyed it not long , for Henry abovesaid , having triumphed in a Successeful Encounter at Bosworth field over Richard the third , and all his Partisans , this was restored to Richard Haut above-said , in which Family it remained untill the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then by an old Court Roll I find it in the Possession of Sir Richard Clement Knight , who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Henry the eighth : he dyed without any legitimate Issue , and lies entombed in the Chancel of Eightham Church ; and Jo. Clement was his Brother and Heir , whose Daughter Ann Clement , was married to Hugh Pakenham , who in her Right possest the Moat , and he about the Reign of K. Edw. the sixth , joyning with Sir William Sidney , who had matched with Anne his only Heir , passed it away to Sir John Ailen , Lord Maior of London in the year 1526 , and then again 1536 , who left it to his Son Sir Christopher Allen , and he about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it by Sale to John Selby Esq ; whose Son Sir William Selby dying without Issue , to continue it in the Name , gave it to Mr. George Selby , of London , whom it acknowledges at this instant for Lord of the Fee .

In the North-side of the Church of Eightham , in an Arch in the Wall beneath the Quire , lyes the Representation of a Knight wrought in Stone , and his Arms pourtrayed on the Coat Armour on his Breast , ( according to the usage of eminent Souldiers ) in the Reign of Edward the third . This was Sir Thomas Cawne , extracted originally out of the County of Stafford ; he had not much Land of Inheritance in Kent , all I find was at Nulcomb , a place so called in Seal , as appears by his Deed of Purchase , of John Ashburneham , dated the thirty ninth of Edward the third : but matching with Lora de Morant , the Daughter and Heir of Sir Tho. Morant of Morants Court , ( after his Death remarried to James de Peckham ) he thereby improved and enhaunsed his Fortune in Kent . He died without Issue , for ought as yet can be discovered ; his Arms as they be inserted in the Rolls and Registers of Staffordshire , are empaled in the Chancel window with the Arms of Morant .

Elmested in the Hundred of Wye , was a Limb of that Revenue , which fell under the Signiory of the noble and ancient Family of Heringod . In Testa de Nevill , there is mention of Stephen de Heringod , who paid respective Aid in the twentieth year of Henry the third , for Lands which he held at Hardres and Elmsted . Stephen de Heringod this mans Grandchild , dyed about the beginning of Edward the first , and determined in a Daughter and Heir called Grace de Heringod , who was matched to Philip de Hardres : and so this Mannor in her Right , became incorporated into the revenue of this noble Family , and remained for many Generations fastned to this Name , untill the Age which almost commenced from our Fathers Memory ; and then Dane-Court a Branch of this Mannor , was sold to Cloake , and Elmested it self by the same Fatality , went out to Marsh , whose Successor very lately hath fixed his Interest by Sale in Lushington .

Evington Court is an ancient Seat in Elmested , which was the Inheritance of Gentlemen of that Sirname , who bare a Fesse between three Steel Burgonets for their Coat Armour : and in a Book coppied out from old Deeds and digested into a just Volume , by William Glover Somersett Herald , and now in my Custody , there is the Copy of an old Deed without date , wherein William Fitz-Neal , called in Latin Filius Nigelli , does passe over some Land to Ruallo de Valoigns , which is fortified by the appendant Testimony of one Robert de Evington , who was Ancestor to the Evingtons of Elmsted , of whom there is mention in the Deeds of this place , in the Reign of Hen. the third , and Edward the first . After this Family was gon out , the Gays a Family of no mean Account in this Track , were incorporated into the Possession , descended originally out of France , where there is a Family which even at this Day is known by the Name of Le-gay , and is planted in Normandy , from whence those of Jersey and Gernesey are extracted , a Branch of which is transplanted into South-Hampton , and there for ought I know flourishes at present . And to justifie the Truth of this their Extraction , in the Leiger Book of Horton-Priory , there is mention of one John le Gay who was a Benefactor to their House , and though they are called at this day , only , without the Addition , Gay ; yet this hath happened by Disuse and Intermission , by not adding it in their Customary writing and affixing it to their Name . But to proceed : Evington Court though it was not originally erected by this Family , yet certainly it was much inforced by Supplement , and additionall Building ; for diverse places of the House are in Relation to the Name , adorned with Nose-Gays . In Conclusion , after it had owned many of this Name of no vulgar Ranck for its Proprietaries , it was , about the beginning of Henry the seventh , by Christopher Gay , alienated to John Honywood Esquire , of the eldest Family of the Honywoods ; from whom in a direct Line , Edward Honywood Esquire , Son and Heir of Sir John Honywood , lately deceased , is extracted , and is now invested in the Possession of this place .

Elmested had the Grant of a Market obtained to it , to be observed weekly on the Thursday , and a Fair yearly on the Vigil , and Day of Saint James , by the Procurement of Henry de Haut Pat. 28. Edwardi tertii N. 20.

Elmeston in the Hundred of Wingham , was parcell of the Demeasne of the Lord Leybourn : Juliana de Leybourn Wife of Roger de Leybourn , had an estate here at her Death , which was in the first year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 86. and her sole Heir was the Lady Juliana Leybourn , first married to John de Hastings , and after to William de Clinton , but dyed without Issue by either , in the forty third year of the Reign of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 57. and as it appears without any visible Alliance , that could justify their Title to her Estate : for the Crown feised upon it as legally escheated , Richard the second granted Elmston to Simon Burleigh , and upon his Attaint it returned to the Crown . by Defailance of any who could pretend a Claim unto it . King Richard the second , about the fourteenth year of his Reign , granted it to the Abby of Childrens Langley . Before I proceed any farther in this Discourse , I shall justifie what I before asserted , that is , that the first Husband of Juliana de Leybourn , was John de Hastings a Kinsman of Lawrence de Hastings , Earl of Pembroke , but not his Son John de Hastings , as some suppose : and this is obvious , if we consider that William de Clinton deceased by the Testimony of all , in the twenty eighth yeer of Edward the third , Juliana his Widow called in the Escheat Roll Comitissa de Huntington , dyed in the forty third year of that Prince , and John de Hastings Earl of Huntington in the year 1375 , which happened in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , which must necessarily , upon a serious Computation of Time , fall out six years , after this Countesse's Decease , to whom had she been matched , she would have preserved the Stile of Comitissa de Pembroke , and not that of Huntington .

But to return into that Track , from whence this Digression hath made me wander ; after it remained Cloistered up in the Revenue of the Church , for diverse Ages , untill the Title was by the Generall Dissolution dislodged , and in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth , was by Royall Concession from that Prince , invested in Sir Walter Henley Serjeant at Law , and a Man under an eminent Character in those Times ; from whom , about the beginning of King Edward the sixth , it passed away by Sale to Linch , a Family of good Antiquity in Kent , from whom the Linches of Lemster in Ireland are primitively descended , and have been for some Descents seated at Linch Knock , a Castle in that Province . After the Linches , the Gibs's about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , were by Purchase seated in the Inheritance , and continued in it , untill very lately the Title was unfixed , and , by the Transposition of Sale , planted in Mr. Jaques of London .

Erith in the Hundred of Little and Lesness , was a Mannor which was circumscribed within the Revenue of Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , that powerfull Baton , whose Story I shall pencill out more exactly at Leeds-Castle : but , before him , Guncelin de Badelesmer , This Guncelin de Badelesmer , was Justice of Chester . See Mr. King's Vale Royall . who lyes buried at Badelesmer , with a fair Pourtraicture upon his Tomb , cut out in Wood , enjoyed it , and held it at his Decease , which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 50. And this Guncelin , was Son to Giles de Badelesmer , who , as the Annals of St. Austins informs us , was slain at a Battell commenced against the Welsh , in the year 1258 , whilst he vigorously asserted the Interest of his Country , against their wild Excursions : But to advance where I first left off , Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer before mentioned , had such a particular Affection to this place , that in the ninth year of Edward the second , he obtained a Charter of Free-warren to this Mannor , and suddenly after , by his Confederacy with Thomas Earl of Lancaster , and the rest of the Nobility knit together in Combination against that Prince , forfeited his Estate and Life to the Crown . And then Edward the second , ( as appears by the Patent Rolls of that time ) in the fifteenth year of his Reign , grants it for life to David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl , Son to the infortunate John Earl of Atholl , who was offered up a Sacrifice to the Fury of Edward the first , because he had done too little for him , and too much for his bleeding and gasping Country of Scotland ; and this Earl held it at his Decease , which was in the first year of Ed. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 85. After his Death , it reverts to the Crown , and then King Edward the third , not only reverses the Processe and Judgement , issued out against Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , but likewise by Patent in the second year of his Reign , restores this Mannor and diverse other Lands to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer his Son . And he dyed seised of it , in the twelfth year of that Prince's Reign , but left no Issue-male ; so that his four Daughters became his Heirs , whereof Eliz. was one of them , who was first matched to William Bohun Earl of Northampton , and after to Roger Mortimer Earl of March , to whose Patrimony this in his Wives Right upon the Quadripartite Division of this wide Estate , was united ; and Edmund de Mortimer this Mans Son , enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the fifth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. And left it to his Son Roger Earl of March and Ulster , and he had Issue Roger Mortimer , and Ann who married Richard Plantagenet de Conisburgh , Earl of Cambridge , second Son of Edmund of Langley Duke of York : and this Richard Earl of Cambridge having involved himselfe with Henry Lord Scroop , and Sir Thomas Grey of Northumberland , in a Treasonable Design , against the Life of Henry the fifth , in the second year of his Reign , as he was embarking at South-hampton for France , there to justifie his Title to that Crown by the Power of the Sword , was convicted and executed , and left Issue Richard Plantagenet : who was , in the year 1426 , created Duke of York , and upon the Decease of his Mothers Brother Roger Mortimer Earl of March , without Issue , he became not only Heir to his Estate , but likewise to that of his Right to the Crown , which first had devolved to him , and after his Death to this his Sister Ann Countesse of Cambridge , Mother to this Richard Duke of York : from Philppa Wife to Edmund Mortimer Earl of March , their Grandfather ; which Philippa was sole Heir of Lionell Duke of Clarence , third Son of Edward the third , and elder Brother to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , fourth Son of that Prince , from whom the Lancastrian Family , had wiredrawn , and spun out , a forced , usurped , and distorted Title to the English Diadem . Upon his Decease at the Battle waged at Wakefield , where he found an untimely Sepulcher , whilst he most vigorously disputed his Claim to the Scepter , against the House of Lancaster ; this mannor with the Crown , devolved to his Son King Edward the fourth , and here it dwelt with the Royall Revenue , untill King Henry the eighth , in the thirty sixth year of his Reign , passed it away to Elizabeth Countesse of Shrewsbury , Widow Dowager of George Earl of Shrewsbury ; by whom she had Issue John , who dyed unmarried , and Ann first matched to Peter Compton Esquire , by whom she had Issue Sir Henry Compton , who was Heir to her Estate here at Erith , and secondly wedded to William Earl of Pembroke ; Sir Henry Compton had Issue William created Earl of North-hampton , in the sixteenth year of King James , and Sir Thomas Compton , who dying without Issue , gave his Estate here , which was setled on him by his Father , upon his Marriage with Mary Countesse of Buckingham , to his Nephew Sir William Compton a younger Son of Spencer Earl of Northampton , who hath very lately alienated his Interest here , to Mr. Lodowick of London .

Bedenwell in this Parish had formerly the Repute of a Mannor , when it was the Inheritance of a Family called Boreford or more vulgarly Burford : Rose de Burford held it at her Death , which was in the third year of Edward the third , Rot. Ese . Num. 52. And afterwards I find James de Burford obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Bedenwell in Erith , in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third . After this Family was expired , which was before the end of Richard the second , it came to be the Possession of Draper , descended from an ancient Family of that Name in the County of Notingham , who concluded in a Female Heir . For William Killom matched with the sole Daughter of John Draper , by whom he obtained Bedenwell ; but with this Proviso that he should change his Name to Draper , which hath been ever since both by Draper of Crayford , and Draper of Hering-Hill in Erith punctually performed . But since this solemne Stipulation , Bedenwell in severall peices hath been sold to Turner , Gainsford of Crowherst in Surrey , ( who not many years since , alienated his Proportion to Cholmeley ) and others ; so that being thus broken into Fragments , it hath now lost the estimate of a Mannor , and is to be entombed in Silence .

Hering-Hill is a place not to be forgotten , having been in elder Times the Residence of a Family called Abell . The first whom I find represented to us , under a Character of estimate , was Sir John Abell , who was in the List of the Kentish Knights , which were Assistant to King Edward the first , at his Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland ; John Abell his Successor was a Judge ( as is manifest by the patent Rolls , of the Tower ) in the eighth year of Edward the second , and it is very probable , that it was either this John Abell or his Father , that obtained a Charter of Free-warren to the Mannor of Catford in Lewsham ( which was after sold to William de Montacute ) in the twenty third year of Edward the first . In the Reign of Henry the fourth : I find , by the Registers of the Crown Office , one Edward Abell to have been in Commission for the Peace , and he lyes enter'd in Erith Church , not in the Coemitery or Church-yard : though I confesse , upon a large square Plate of Wood , there is a Register of those accurately enrolled , who were Possessors of Hering-Hill , from John Abell the Judge , down to another John Abell who dyed possest of it about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth ; but the date is so violated by Time and the Impression of the injurious Elements , that it is hardly visible , much lesse intelligible ; the last of this Family at this place , was John Abell , who about the year 1611 , joyning with his Father Samuell Abell , alienated his Concernment here to Mr. William Draper , whose Successor Mr ..... Draper , now of the County of Oxford , is the instant Proprietary of it .

Lesnes Abby was founded by Richard de Lucy , Lord Chief Justice of England under H. the second , in the year 1179 and dedicated to St. Thomas the Martyr , the Saint of Canterbury , who as he had been above the Kings Will on earth , was now above his Faith in Heaven , being after his , but early Canonization , grown into such Veneration and Estimate , that Orisons and Prayers , Shrines , and Altars , Abbyes and Temples , were offered up to his Name , of which this was none of the least , being a House of black Canons , or Canons of St. Augustins . This Richard de Lucy the Founder , was Son of Richard , who was Son of Roger de Chilham , and he was Son of Fulbert de Dover , who entred into England with William the Conquerour , and changed his Name of Lucy to Dover , ( of which , first , there is not only a Signiory or Lordship , but likewise a Family at this instant remaining in France ) because he was one of those eight , to whom certain Knights-Fees were assigned by William the Conquerour , to be Assistant to John de Fiennes , in the Guard of Dover Castle ; thus much for his Extraction . Now for his Dignity , he was not only Lord Chief Justice , but likewise Protector of England , in the twelfth year of Henry the second , in his Absence in France , which great Office he managed with so much Fidelity , Prudence , and Magnanimity , that when the Earl of Boloign invaded this Island , in the thirteenth year of the abovesaid Prince , he was forced to retire with Shame Confusion , and Losse : which Action must certainly have improved his Name to a very high Estimate , in the Opinion of those Times . Yet notwithstanding he devested himself of that Pomp and Pageantry , these great Offices had made him glitter with ( which Conquest , that he made upon himself within , was of more Importance , then any he could have atchieved without ) and clouded himself in a Monks Cowle , and became the Prior to that Covent , he himself had erected , and there likewise found his place of Sepulture : And it is probable , that those Coffins , with Pourtraictures insculped , which were discovered in a Grotto or Vault , upon the breaking down the Foundation of this House , in the Government of King James , were the Exchequers which treasured up , not only the Reliques of this Sir Richard de Lucy , but likewise the remains of others of the same Family : But to proceed , the Prior of this place was in that Repute , that it was customary for him ( as the Records of the Church of Rochester tell us ) to have his Induction into this place , either by the Bishop immediately , or else by some Proxie , who represented the Bishop of Rochester's Person . And in this State it continued , untill Cardinall Wolsey laid the Foundation of his eminent Colledge of Christchurch in Oxford , and thenwith the consent of the present Abbot , in the year 1525 , it was supprest , and the Revenue of this Cloister , being found in the Hands of the abovesaid Cardinal at his Death , was by Henry the eighth , united to the Income of the Crown , where it dwelt , untill it was granted to William Brereton Esquire , who being engaged in the fatall Business of Katharine Howard , was attainted , and executed , upon whose Tragedy , it returned to the Crown ; and was in the thirty eighth of Henry the eighth , granted to Sir Ralph Sadler ; and he not long after passed it away to Mr. Henry Cook ; in whose Successors , the Possession was resident , untill almost our Remembrance , and then it was conveyed to Sir Thomas Gainsford of Crowherst in Surrey ; who not many years since , demised his Right in it to Mr. Haws of London ; who dying lately without Issue , hath setled it for ever , on the Hospital of St. Bartholomews in Smithfield .

In the ninth year of Edward the second , Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , obtained the Grant of a Market to Erith , on the Thursday , and a three Days Fair at St. Crosse , and another three Days Fair , the Monday , Tuesday , and Wednesday in Whitson Week .

Lesnes , had by the Mediation of William de Wilton , a Grant of a Market , procured to be observed there on the Thursday , and a Fair to continue yearly the Eve , Simon and Judes Day , and three Days after , as is manifest , Pat. 41. Henrici tertii Memb. 48.

Estling in the Hundred of Feversham , gave Sirname to a Family , who had here an eminent Mansion called Northcourt , the last of which Family , was Ralph de Estling , whose Daughter and Heir Alice de Estling , about the Beginning of Ed. the first , was matched to Fulke de Peyforer , Custos of the Fleet , and Westminster in London , who in her Right became Lord of this place , and in the thirty second year of Edward the first , to inforce his Interest here , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to this place ; and in this Family did it reside , untill the latter end of Edward the second , and then was Northcourt , Denton , and Plomford , Mannors , which came along to Peyforer with Northcourt , were sold away to Roger Lord Leybourn ; and his Widow Juliana de Leybourn held them at her Decease , which was in the first year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 86. And after her Decease , they devolved to John de Hastings , a Kinsman of Lawrence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke , who was the first Husband of her Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourn ; after his Decease remarried to William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , who in her Right was likewise possest of them , but likewise Deceased without any Issue by her , in the twenty eighth of Edward the third , after whose Death , it is more then probable , she continued a Widow . For in the Inquisition taken in the forty third year of Ed. the third , she is styled Comitissa de Huntington , and was found upon a serious winnowing , both of her Direct and collaterall Alliances , to have no Heirs that could directly pretend to the Title , so that her Estate here laps'd to the Crown , and King Edward the third , in the fiftieth year of his Rule , granted the Mannors of Northcourt , Denton , and Plomford , to the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower Hill , where they rested untill the Dissolution : and then King Henry the eighth , granted them to Sir Thomas Cheyney one of his Privy Councel , whose lavish and unthrifty Son Henry Lord Cheyney , after his Estate mouldered away by Retail in the eighth year of Queen Elizabeth , passed them away to Martin James Esquire , whose great Grandchild , Mr. Walter James , is at this instant the indisputable Proprietary of them .

Huntingfield in Estling , gave Sirname to that illustrious Family of Huntingfield , and stands a Monument to this Day , to inforce and perpetuate its Memory to Posterity , though the Name be long since extinguished , and gon out in two Daughters and Coheirs , being entombed in Coupledick and Norwich . The capital Seat of this Family , was at West-Wickham , on the Skirts of Surrey , where I shall make a more ample mention of them : but they had other parcels of Land , which lay scattered in the severall Parishes of Northsleet , Mepham , Ludsdown , Cobham and other places , and it is probable this Family was possest of an Estate likewise in Somersetshire . For in Mr. Bishe , late printed Notes upon Upton , one Walter de Huntingfield , is represented as Teste to that memorable Compact , which bears Date the twenty eighth of Aprill , in the forty second year of Henry the third , and was made between Henry de Ferneburgh , and the Abbot and Covent of Glastenbury , to defend the Lands of the abovesaid Abbot , against all the Claim or Pretence , of the Bishop of Bath and Wells , with the Dean and Canons of the same place , or any of their Champions ; and certainly , this Walter de Huntingfield , is he , who is mentioned , to have paid respective Aid , in the Book called Testa de Nevist , for much Land which he held in Kent , at the Marriage of Isab . the Kings Sister , in the twentieth year of Henry the third . The last of this Family who was possessor of this Mannor was Sir John Huntingfield , who was summoned to sit as a Baron in Parliament , in the thirty sixth year of Edw. the third ; and he passed it away to Sir Sim. de Burley , in whom it was resident , until the tenth year of Richard the second ; and then he being by Parliament convicted of high Treason , for seeking in a Time , when too much Loyalty was ruinous , to support the shaking Prerogative of his Prince , against the Assaults and Impressions made upon it , by some of the ambitious Nobility ; This Mannor with Northcourt , likewise in this Parish , which was granted to him upon the Decease of Juliana Countesse of Huntington , escheated to the Crown , and there made its aboad , untill the twenty first of Richard the second , and then that Prince , setled it by a new Grant , as appears Pat. 1. An. 21. Ric. 2. Memb. 35. Pars tertia . On the Dean and Canons of St. Stephens in Westminster , and continued chained to their Revenue , untill the Link was by the general Dissolution of Religious Gonventions , in the Reign of Henry the eighth , untied and broken , and then being cast into the Demeasne of the Crown , it was in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth , granted to Alured Randolph , and John Guldford Esquires , and they not long after , conveyed their Interest in it by Sale to Sir Thomas Moil , from whom the same Fatality in the seventh year of Edward the sixth , carried it away , and transplanted it into John Wild Esquire : and he not long after , transmitted his Concernment in it to Gates , and from this Name , the Propriety about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , was by the Vicissitude of Sale , conveyed to Martin James Esquire , Examiner of the Chancery , from whom the Title by descendant Right is flowed down to his great Granchild , Mr. Walt. James , who is now in the Possession of it .

Estling had the Grant of a Market , obtained to be held there Weekly , and a two Days Fair at St. Crosse , by the Mediation of Fulke de Peyferer , in the thirty second of Edward the first .

Diven Arnold is a third place of mark , in Estling . It is called so , because it was in Ages of a very venerable Inscription ; the Inheritance of a Family called Dive , and it had the Addition of Arnold , because one Arnoldus de Dive possest it , and is often mentioned in Deeds without date , and was Teste to a Deed , whereby John de Valoigns , does convey Lands to Robert de Dive , Prior of the Hospiral of St. Johns of Jerusalem ; which is justified by a fine levyed between the said John and this Robert , in the ninth year of Henry the third . And in this Family did it continue , untill the Beginning of Richard the second , and then it was alienated to Sharp , of Nin-place in great Chart , in which Name the Signorry and Title was for sundry Generations constant , untill about the latter end of Henry the seventh , it was conveyed away to Thurstan of Challock , a Name of great Antiquity in that Parish , from whom not many years after it went over by Sale to Jo. Wild Esquire , and he , in the entrance of the Government of Queen Elizabeth , by the same Revolution , disposed of his Right in it to Gates , who alienated it after to Croyden , who in our Fathers Remembrance , transmitted it by Sale to Bunce , and continues still in the Revenue of that Family .

Eastry gives the Name to the whole Hundred wherein it is seated , and was given to the Church in the year of Grace nine Hundred seventy and nine , by King Egelred , that is , Etheldred , Father to Edmund Ironside , Et est de Cibo Monachorum , say the Records of Christ-Church , that is , it was granted to the Monks for the Support of their Kitchin , and was in the first Intention of the Gift , I believe , invested in the Ecclesiastical Revenue , purposely to expiate that Murder , which was at this place acted upon the Persons of Ethelbert and Etheldred Brethren of Egbert King of Kent , by one Thunner : as if that dark Tincture of Guilt , which the effussion of this Royall and Innocent Blood , had stained the earth with , could not have been assoiled without so munificent a Donation . In the time of Edward the Confessor , this Mannor was held by the Monks of Christ-Church , under the Notion of Seven Plough-lands , nor was it represented under a lesse Bulke in the Reign of William the Conquerour , and was rated in the Whole , in Dooms-day Book , at Thirty eight Pound , Ten Shillings , and Three-pence .

There was an ancient Tradition that that Altar-Tomb , which was placed at the East-end of the little Chappel , which belonged to Eastry Court , was the Sepulchre wherein the Reliques of the two Princes ( mentioned before , to have been murdered , ) were enshrined : nay it went farther and did affirm that there was a Light hovered constantly about that Tomb , as if the Clearnesse of the Innocence of those who slumbered under that Repository , could not have been manifested better , then by the Beams of such a perpetuate Itradation .

Shrickling is a Mannor in this Parish which had always the same Possessors with Knowlton . Thomas Perrot held it the fourth of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. By whose Daughter and Heir , it devolved to Langley , and from Langley by the Heir General to Peyton : only I find Sir Edward Ringley Knight Marshall of Callis , and Bayliff of Sandwich , both by Water and Land , lived at Estry , in the Reign of Henry the eighth , and enjoyed this Mannor , in Right of his Wife Elizabeth Widow of Edward Langley Esquire .

Heronden in this Parish , was the Seat of a Family known by that Sirname , who bare for his Coat Armour a Heron with one Tallon erected , and gaping for Breath . One of this Family lay buryed neer the Chancel , in the Time of Robert Glover Somerset-Herald , with his Pourtraicture and Coat of Arms in Brasse affixed to the Tombstone : both which by the rude Hand of some sacrilegious Person , are now torn away ; yet is the Coat-still extant in very old Rolls and Registers , in the Heralds Office , where the Family is called Heronden of Heronden . Nor is the Name lesse ancient , as appears by Deeds which commence from the Time of Henry the third , which related then to this House and Name . In the Reign of Richard the second , this Family determined in a Female Heir , who was matched to Boteler of Botelers Fleet in Ash , and she annexed this Place to the Patrimony of this Family , in which Name the Title of this Place , hath been ever since successively laid up .

Ewell in the Hundred of Bewsborough , was a principal Mansion of the Knights Templers , to which much Land was united , both in this Track , and in Romney Mersh , where they held the Mannors of Hony-Child and East-Bridge , as appears by the Book called Liber de Terris Templariorum , collected in the year 1130 , and kept in the Exchequer . They were founded in the year 1118 , in manner following . Cetrain Knights obliged themselves by Vow , in the Hands of the Hands of the Patriarch of Jerusalem , to serve Christ after the mannor of Regular Cannons , in Chastiry and Obedience , renouncing their own Wills for ever : they likewise professed to defend the Crosse and Sepulcher of our Saviour from the Eruptions of Infidels , and to secure the high-ways for the Indempnity of Pilgrims , from the Ambushes of Free-booters , that they might more freely visit the place of our Saviours Agony and Crucifixion . They were called Templers , either from their Vow to defend the Temple , or else , from those Lodgings which were assigned them , neer that place , by Baldwin the fourth King of Jerusalem . This order in the second year of Edward the second , was totally supprest throughout Christendome . The Crimes alledged against them , were Pride , Covetousnesse , for did and unaturall Uncleannesse , and lastly private Collusions and Treaties with Infidels , which tended to the Subversion of the Christian Cause in Palestine , all which they solemnly renownced at their Death , which best interprets their Innocence to future Times : for certainly it was impossible , that an Order which had tyed themselves up , upon their Institution , within the Limitations of so strict a Vow , could universally at one Time , and in all places of the World where they were established , degenerate into those black , horrid and prodigious Crimes , wherewith their Enemies bespattered them . But indeed those who have fathomed the Cause of this their totall Abolition , find , that they were warping with some Compliance too eagerly to a Combination with the Emperour , who was then in Contest with the Pope , about vindicating his temporal power in Italy , and else-where , from the unjust enchroachments made upon it by that See . Which his Holyness descrying , wrapt them up in those pretended Crimes , as the Roman Persecutors did the ancient Christians , in the skins of Beasts , that they might more easily be devoured . Upon this their Dissolution , their House here at Temple Ewell , was given to the Knights of St. John Baptist of Jerusalem , an Order rather restored then instituted by one Girardus , whose Vow was almost coincident in all the Ingredients of it , with that of the Knights Templers . And in their Demeasne did this place lye wound up , untill the finall Dissolution , in the Reign of Henry the eighth ; and then being linked to the Revenue of the Crown it was fixed there untill the sixth year of Edward the sixth , and then it was granted to William Cavendish Esquire , and he the same year conveyed it to Christopher Sackvill , and Winefrid his Wife , who about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to John D●niell , who about the latter end of that Princesse , dying without Issue-male , his Estate here devolved to his two Daughters and Coheirs , matched to Mab and Wiseman , who both concurred , and by joynt Consent alienated the Propriety of this place , about the beginning of King James , to Mr ..... Angell of London , whose Son Mr ...... Angell of Crowherst in Surrey , is now entituled to the Fee-simple of it .

Borestall Banks in this Parish , was , as high as any Evidences do lead us to discover , part of the ancient Patrimony of the illustrious Family of Diggs of Diggs-Court in Barham , John de Digge of this Family , was Alderman of Canterbury in the year 1258 , and was a great Benefactor to the Franciscans , who were newly seated at Canterbury : and purchased for their Support , an Island called Binnewith , in that City , and from this John de Digge , did descend Roger de Digge , who paid respective Aid at the making the Black Prince Knight , for his Lands at Berham , and other places in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and dyed seised of this Mannor , in the third year of Richard the second , Rot Esc . Num. 19. John Diggs his Successor , was Sheriff of Kent , in the second year of Henry the fourth , and John Diggs , was Sheriff of this County , the fourth , of Edward the fourth , and this Mans Son , who also bore his Name , was Sheriff of Kent in the eleventh year of Henry the seventh . Briefly , after it had for many Descents , owned the Interest of this Family , it was in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed away by Sale to Stokes , in which Family , the Possession was permanent , untill of very late Time , and then it was alienated to Captain Temple of Dover .

F. F. F. F.

EAst-Farleigh lyes in the Hundred of Maidston , and was given to the Prior and Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury , by Ediva the Queen , Mother of the two Kings Eadred and Edmund in the year 941 , and was as Mr. Lambert out of some old Records conjectures to find the Covent with Eele-Pies . If you will see how it was rated in the Conquerours Time , Dooms-day Book will tell you that Farnelege est Manerium Monachorum , & est de Cibo eorum , & in tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VI. Sullingis , & est appretiatum XXII lb. This Mannor upon the Resignation of the Revenue , of the above-mentioned Cloister , coming to the Crown , King Henry the eighth , in the thirty fourth year of his Reign granted this and West-Farleigh , which was given to the Priory of Christ-Church , by Queen Eleanor , in exchange , for the Port of Sandwich , which Donation of hers , Edward the first , ( as the Book of Christ-Church informs me ) fully ratified and confirmed , and likewise devolved from the Crown , upon the former Surrender , to Sir Thomas Wiatt , who was then one of his Privy Councel , and remained entwined with his Demeasne , untill his infortunate Attaint and Tragedy , in the second year of Queen Mary , brought them back , as escheated and forfeited to the Crown , The Mannor of East-Farleigh of vast Extent , was lately sold by the State to Colonel Robert Gibbons and then that Princesse the same time , granted the Mannor of West-Farleigh , and the Site and Demeasne of East-Farleigh to her Atturney General Sir John Baker , who dying in the first year of Queen Elizabeth , gave East-Farleigh , to his second Son Mr. John Baker , and West-Farleigh to his Son and Heir Sir Richard . Jo. Baker had Issue Sir Richard Baker , who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , passed away East-Farleigh to Sir ....... Vane of Burstow in Hunton , in whose Descendants , the Propriety of it continues , at this instant : but West-Farleigh , devolved by Descent from the abovesaid Sir Richard , to his great Grandchild Sir Jo. Baker Baronet , who hath very lately conveyed it by Sale to Mr. Thomas Floyd of Gore Court in Otham Esquire .

Smiths Hill in East-Farleigh , hath been ever since the Reign of Henry the sixth , the Residence of the Brewers : though that Seat where they were anciently planted before was Brewers in Merworth , which was a Mansion entituled to the Possssession of this Family some hundreds of years , and from whence William de Brewer did originally issue out , who was Lieutenant of Dover Castle , under King John , to whom that King directs a special Praecipe or Command to deliver that important Fortresse to Hubert de Burgh Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , as appears Pat. 17. Reg. Joannis Memb. 2. Num. 102. This I rather mention , to manifest that this Family anciently , as now , hath been under no contemptible Character in this County .

Totesham Hall lyes within the Limits of West-Farleigh , and was the Mansion of a Family of eminent Rank in this Track , Jo. de Totesham was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae , as appears by the Pipe Rolls , in the Reign of King John , and he was Grandfather to John de Totesham , who held this Seat at his Decease , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 17. Taken in the fifth year of Edward the third . And from him did it , in an uneven Channel of Successive Interest , come down to Anthony Totesham Esquire ; the last of this Name , at this place , who about the latter end of Henry the eighth alienated this and Henherst in Yalding to Chapman , in which Family the Posession dwelt , untill the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was by the same Conveyance passed to Lawrence from which Name not many years since , it went away by Purchase to Augustine Skinner Esquire , descended from an ancient Family of the Skinners in Lincolne-Shire , and now by this new Acquisition transplanted into Kent .

Farningham in the Hundred of Clackstan , vulgarly called Acstane , with the Moiety of Chartons , was in the Time of the Conquerour , held of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , by Ansgodus Rubitoniensis , that is , Ansgod de Rosse , and was rated in Dooms-day Book at one Sulling or Ploughland , as it was before in the Reign of Edward the Confessor . But this Name of Rosse determining here about the end of Henry the third , it came afterwards to be the Pattimony of Fremingham , and Ralph de Fremingham , obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to this Mannor , in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third , after whom it descended fortified and fenced in , with this new acquired Priviledge , to John de Fremingham , who was first Assistant to John de Malmains of Faukham , not far distant , in his Office of Sheriff , which was in the tenth of Edward the second , and was afterwards Sheriff of this County himself , in the twelfth year , and then again in the eighteenth and nineteenth years of the above-mentioned Prince ; and dyed possest of Farningham , in the twenty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 145. Pars secunda . Ralph de Fremingham this Mans Son , was Sheriff of Kent , the thirty second of Edward the third , and in the twentieth year of that Prince , paid an auxiliary Contribution , at the making the Black Prince Knight , for Lands conveyed over to him by his Father , and whose Tenure was in Knights Service , and lay in this Parish , and held them at his Decease , which was in the thirty eighth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 19. This Mans Son and Heir was John Fremingham , who was one of the Conservators of the Peace of this County , in the first year of Richard the second , and Sheriff of Kent in the second year of that Prince , and afterwards had the Custody of this County again , in the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , but dyed without Issue ; so that Ann his Sister , matched to Roger Isley , of Sundrich , became his Heir : and so Farningham , was with her , brought to acknowledge the Interest of this Family , from whom it devolved to John Isley , whose Widow Alice Isley , dyed possest of Farningham , in Right of Jointure , in the first year of Henry the eighth , and from her it devolved to her Son Thomas Isley , and he dyed seised of it in the eleventh year of Henry the eighth , and it was found at his Decease , that it was held in Knights Service of Dover Castle , by the payment of a Rent-service , of twenty one Shillings per An. and had the Estimate of a whole Knights Fee . After him his Son Sir Henry Isley , succeeded in the Possession of this place , and being infortunately convicted of high Treason in the second year of Queen Mary , Farningham and Chartons escheated to the Crown : and that Princesse , in the same year , granted it back to his Son William Isley Esquire , and he in the third and fourth of Philip and Mary , by a Deed enroll'd in Chancery , passes away Farningham and the Moiety of Chartons , to William Roper Esquire , Grandfather to Sir Anthony Roper , and Mr. Henry Roper , from whom upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Will made by his Brother Sir Anthony Roper , wherein he demises the Fee-simple to Sir John Cotton of Cambridge-Shire , it is by Verdict taken away , and enstated on the above mentioned Person .

The other Moiety of Chartons , gave Sirname to a Family , who held it as appears by Testa de Nevill , in the twentieth year of Henry the third . In Times of a lower Descent , it was the Possession of a good old Family , called Groveherst . William de Groveherst paid respective Aid for it , at making the Black Prince Knight ; and from him it devolved to his Successor Richard Groveherst , who in the Reign of Henry the fourth , determined in three Daughters and Coheirs , espoused to Richard Tickhill , Richard Hextall , and John Petit , who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , passed one Moiety of it to John Martin , whose Successor and Descendant Edward Martin above-mentioned , passed it away with Franks , mentioned in Horton , Kirkby , in whose Revenue it lyes now couched , about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth to Alderman Bathurst , from whom , with Franks , it is now devolved by Descent , to be the Inheritance of Sir Edward Bathurst , .

Ralph de Fremingham , obtained a Weekly Market to his Mannor of Farningham , on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly to continue for four Days , the Vigil , the day of St. Peter and Paul , and two days after , by Grant from Henry the third in the fifty fifth year of his Reign , Pat. An. 55. Hen. 3. Memb. 12. Which Grant was renewed and confirmed to John de Fremingham , in the seventh and eighth years of Richard the second .

Chimbham is another Mannor in this Parish , which did give Name to a Family of that Appellation , for I find in the Book of Aid , that when John de Fremingham , pays Aid for his Mannors of Farningham and Chimbham , there is a Recitall of Lawrence de Chimbham , which formerly held it in the Reign of Henry the third . But it is evident both by that Record , and by the Inquisition taken after his Death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third : that John de Fremingham held it , and transmitted it to his Son Ralph de Fremingham , whose Son and Heir John Fremingham , dying without Issue , Ann his Sister entred upon the Possession of this , as his next Heir , and brought it with her to her Husband Roger Isley of Sundridge . And so this Family became concerned in it , and kept their Interest here until the Reign of Henry the seventh , and then it was passed away to Sibill of Littlemoat in Ainsford : in which Name the Propriety had not been long wrapt up , when this Family , found its Sepulcher in a Female Heir . For Ed. Sibell , the last of this Name , resolved into a Daughter and Heir , matched to Hide : and he not many years since , conveyed it by Sale , to Alderman Bunce of London .

Fairfield in the Hundred of Langport , was given to the Church of Christ-Church in Canterbury , by St. Edm. Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Chancellor of the University of Oxford , about the year 1238 , and more to fortifie the Donation , affixed his Seal , ( Sigillo suo confirmavit , say the Records of Christ-Church ) to the originall Grant . This upon the Suppression , was upon the Institution of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury , by Henry the eighth , confirmed by Grant to them .

Faukham in the Hundred of Acstane , was the Seat , and gave the Sirname to an ancient Family called Faukham . The first whom I find upon Record is Walleran de Faukham , who flourished here in the Reign of Henry the second , as appears by the Book called Nova Feoffamenta , taken in that Princes Reign , and kept in the Exchequer . Afterwards in Times of a more modern date it acknowledged the Signory of the Lord Grandison , Baron of Ferneborough , and Otho de Grandison , is said , in the Book of Aid , with Gilbert de Kirkbie , to have held one Knights Fee in Faukham of the Bishop of Rochester , which Rose de Faukham and William de St. Clere of Ford in Wrotham formerly held , and this Otho Lord Grandison held it at his Death , which was in the thirty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 41. And left it to his Son Thomas Grandison , who dyed without Issue in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 36. So that his Estate here and in other places , was divided between his Sisters and Coheirs ; whereof this , came to be possest by Sir John Northwood , in Right of Agnes one of his Sisters , from whom by a constant Line of Succession , it was guided down to his Son Sir Roger Northwood , who was extinguished in a Female Heir called Albina Northwood , matched to John Diggs of Diggs Court in Berham Esquire : who was Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Henry the fourth , and so in her Right , this Mannor devolved to this Family , and lay couched in their Estate until the latter end of Henry the eighth ; and then it was passed away to Barham of Berham-Court in Teston . In which Name the Propriety had not been long resident , when Thomas Barham Esquire , concluded in a Daughter and Heir called Ann , who was espoused to Sir Oliver Boteler , who cast this into his Revenue , from whom it is now come down to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet , only Son of Sir William Boteler , slain at Cropready Bridge , in asserting the Royall Quarrell .

Frendsbury in the Hundred of Shamell , hath severall places in it worthy of our Cognisance . The first is Eslingham , which was given to the Church of St. Andrews in Rochester , by Kenulfus King of Mercia , as the Book called Textus Roffensis informs me : But by the Registers of that Church , I find that John de St. Clere , held it in Lease of the Covent , about the ninth year of Edward the third ; and after him a Family called Neal , who had large Possessions about Higham , were Lessees to the Cloister . In the sixth year of Henry the sixth , I find John Rykeld held it , and kept his Shrievalty at this place : after him a Family called Frogenhall , was by Right of Lease in the Reign of Henry the seventh , possest of it , but upon the Suppression of this Monastery of St. Andrews , in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , this Mannor was found to be Lease to Audley and Fisher ; and then the Fee-simple in Reversion was granted to Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex : who , being by the Malice of his Enemies , who had raised all their Black Engines of Mischief upon him , aspersed with the Calumnious Reproach of high Treason , was attainted in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth , and made a Peace-offering to the Fury of his irreconcileable Adversaries ; then this , by Escheat , returns back to the Crown ; after which that Prince , by his Royall Concession , makes it the Inheritance , of Sir Will . Drury of Norfolke , in which Family it remained , untill Times of our Knowledge and Remembrance , and then the Interest was by Sale , translated into Henry Clerk Esquire , Serjeant at Law , and late Recorder of Rochester , from whom it is now come down to his Son and Heir Francis Clerk Esquire , collaterally descended from that eminent Souldier Sir John Clerk of Willoughby in Warwick-shire , who took Lewis de Orleans Duke of Longueville Prisoner , in that memorable Encounter commenced between Bomy and Spours , Villages not far distant from Terowan or Terwin , in the fifth year of Henry the eighth , which was Signally testified by that Prince , when by his Favour and Command , there was annexed this Augmentation to his paternall Coat viz , upon a Canton Azure a Demy Ram Saliant Argent , armed Or , between two Flower de Lis of the last , over all a Batton or Truncheon ( which intimates to us , that that Captive-Duke , was one of the Marshalls of France ) Dexterways in Bend , of the Second .

Chaddington is a second place of Account , and represents to our Remembrance , the Lords Cobham , who were in elder Times , Lords of the Fee . John de Cobham dyed seised of it , in the twenty eighth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 42. And from this John , did it successively flow down to Henry Lord Cobham , who was attainted in the first year of King James , upon whose Conviction , this Mannor escheated to the Crown ; and that Prince some few years after , granted it to his Kinsman Lodowick Duke of Lenox ; but he dying without Issue , it descended to his Nephew James Duke of Lenox lately deceased , whose Dutchesse Dowager during the Minority of the Duke , her Son , holds the present enjoyment of it .

Goddington is a third place , which calls for our Consideration : It was parcel of the Patrimony of the ancient Family of Charles . Robert Charles , who was possest of Land about Hilden in Tunbridge , and was Bailiff of the Forrest or Chase there to Robert de Clare Earl of Gloucester , was seised of it at his Death , which was in the twenty ninth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 74. From whom it devolved to Nicholas Charles , who dying without Issue in the eleventh year of Richard the second , Alice one of his Sisters and Coheirs brought this to be the Inheritance of William Snaith , Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of K. Henry the fourth , descended from William de Snaith , who was made Chancellor of the Kings Exchequer , during Pleasure , in the fifty fifth year of Edward the third : but this Family likewise going out in a Daughter and Heir , she by matching with Watton , whose Ancestor held Lands at Rydley nere Ash , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , annexed it to the Incom of that Family , in which Name the Title hath ever since , by an even and permanent Succession resided .

Wainscot is the last place of any Eminence . It was a Branch which was engrafted upon that Demeasne which fell under the Signiory of the Colepepers of Alresford . Walter Colepeper of Preston in that Parish , held it at his Death , which was in the first year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 80. And into the Patrimony of this Family did the Right of it , by a Succession of many Descents , even seem to have bin riveted , having continued constant to this Name , from the above mentioned Walter Colepeper , untill the Reign of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was alienated to Randolph , , from which Family in Times which were within the Circle of our Fathers Remembrance it passed away by Sale to Somers , descended from William Somer , Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Reign of Henry the sixth who held much Land in the Hundred of Hoo , whose Son not many years since passed it away , to Mr. Robinson of Rochester .

Frensted in the Hundred of Eyhorne , was honored anciently , by being parcel of the Patrimony of the noble Family of Crombwell , written so in elder Times , though since a softer pronunciation hath been quilted into the Name , so that in Times of a more modern Aspect , it hath been written Cromwell , who had here a Seat called now Meriam Court , but in elder Orthography written Mereham Court . The first of this Family whom I find possest of it , was John de Crombwell , who in the eighth year of Edward the second , as Sir Henry Spelman , in his Glossary , in the Word Banneretus , cites the Record out of the Office of the Pell , was written Banneret . Now what these Bannerets were , I shall briefly unfold : they were formerly called Vexilliferi , because their Investiture anciently , was , by delivering to them a Guidon , which was nothing but a Pennon cut off at the end , which before flowed out into an acute Angle , and now was fashioned and composed into a Square . And as anciently , thirteen Knights Fees , did in the vulgar Estimate , make up a Tenure per Baroniam ; so did ten Knights Fees compose a Banneret , out of which he was ( whensoever the Affairs of the Prince did require ) to bring into the Field twelve or sixteen Chevaliers or Horsemen , and those Persons of no cheap or inconsiderable Account , but such as could ( as Sir Henry Spelman notes , ex Praediis & Peculio proprio ) out of their own Patrimony , Equipp , Horse and furniture of Armes , proportionate to the Service they were to be embarked in .

But to proceed : Ralph de Crombwell , Son of the abovesaid John , in the ninth year of Edward the second , obtained a Charter of Free-warren , to his Lands here at Frensted and Meriam Court , but his Family , after the Grant of this Franchise , did not long possesse their Inheritance here ; for Richard de Crombwell , this mans Son , about the Beginning of Edward the third , passed it away to Hugh Girund , in whom the Title was as sickle and volatile : for he determining in Mawd his Sole Daughter and Heir , she by matching with Henry de Chalfhunt , made it his Patrimony , and he in his Wifes Right , was seised of it at his Death , which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 14. And in this Family , did the Propriety of Meriam Court , and other Lands at Frensted , continue invested untill the Entrance of Henry the sixth ; and then it was passed away to Hadde , now called Hadds , and William Hadde held Meriam Court , and the Land annexed to it here at Frensted at his Decease , which was in the thirty fourth year of Henry the sixth , and in this Family was the Possession constantly resident , untill that Age which fell within the Circle of our Grandfathers Knowledge ; and then it was conveyed to Archer , from which Family some few years since , it went off by Sale to Thatcher .

Yokes Court is another ancient Seat in Frensted , which , as high as any Beam , either of Publick Record , or private Muniments , can conduct me to a Discovery ; I find , acknowledged the noble Family of Northwood , and owned the Interest of that Family , untill the thirty fifth of Edward the third , and then Roger de Northwood dying without Issue-male , bequeathed it to his only Daughter and Heir , Albina Northwood ; who by matching with John Digge of Diggs Court in Berham , united this Seat to the Interest of that Name and Family , and they to keep Life in her Memory , ( a small Preferment beyond the Fate of humane Frailty , ) that had improved their Paternal Inheritance with so great a Supplement of Additional Estate , erected a fair Monument over her Ashes in Berham Church , and adorned it with a French Epitaph , which instructs the Reader , whose Dust sleeps beneath the Marble Repository . Indeed in this Act , this Family seemed to be Corrivalls with the Egyptians , who expended more upon the Structure of their Tombs then Houses , because they knew they were to dwell longer in them . But I have digressed . I now proceed : Thus have you seen how this Seat fell under Signiory of Diggs , and the succeeding Records of this Family will inform you , that the Title made its aboad in this Name , untill allmost that Age we call our Fathers ; and then it was transmitted by Sale to Archer , from whom not many years since , a Fatality like the former , hath now brought it to bee the Possession of Thatcher .

Feversham affords a Name to the whole Hundred wherein it is placed . In the year 812 , in the Charter of Kenulf King of Mercia , it is called the Kings little Town . It seems it was of no bigg Dimension then , though it be multiplyed and swolne into a greater Bulk since ; yet , as small as it was , Athelstan in the year 903 , held a publick Moot or great Counsell here , ( which Assemblies since the Normans entring here were termed Parliaments ) and enacted severall Laws , in this Convention . Probably enough , it belonged to the Crown in elder Times , and was a Mannor-house of the Kings : for William the Conquerour ( as the Records of St. Austins testifie ) gave the Advowson of the Church , to that Abby , in the year 1072 , and the Mannor it self to a Norman , in Recompence of some signal Service . But when King Stephen , resolved to erect the Abby there , he compounded with William de Ipre Earl of Kent , and gave him the Mannor of Lilly-Church in Exchange for it , and his Queen Matilda , raised a stately Monastery which she stored with Monks , of the Order of St. Bennet , which were brought thither by Clarembald the first Abbot , from the Abby of St. Marys at Bermondsey in Southwark , and procured a Letter to be writ from Peter Abbot of that place , to absolve and release them from all Obedience , to the Order of the Cluniac's . And here was K. Stephen , Matilda his Wife , and Eustace Earl of Boloign , his Son , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and Constable of Dover Castle solemnly enter'd . Of which former King it is observed , that though his Reign were rough and tempestuous , by Reason of his perptuall Debates and Contests , with Mawd the Empresse and her Son , concerning the Title ; yet were there more Religious Convents erected in his Rule then either before or after ; which made it appear though the Times were bad they were not impious . And certainly , from the uneven and imperfect Prospect , which those Times folded up in the Flame and Smoak of Civil War , have afforded us of this Prince , and of his Sway of the Scepter , we may conclude that in all things , he was fit to be a King , but that he was one . Thorne the Chronicler relates two Contests that happened between the Monks of St. Augustins and others : the first was between them and King John animated by Hughbert Archbishop of Canterbury touching the Right of Patronage , of the Church of St. Mary Charity at Feversham . The K. apprehending the Advowson of the Church , belonged to him , or at least made to believe so by the Archbishop , presents a Clerk to the Church , and commands his Presentment should be received , which they not only disobeyed , but ejected the Clerk , and sent diverse of their Monks to maintain the Possession of the Church by strong Hand . Which the King understanding , commanded Reginald de Cornhill the Sheriff , to disseise them and restore his presented Clerk , which he in Order to the Kings Injunction , not without a vigorous Resistance by the Monks effected . Upon which , the Monks complain to Stephen the Popes Legat , who then was there journeying to Rome , and in his Way sojourned at their Cloister . And he compassionating their Condition , advised them to send their Prior to Rome , least the Power of the See Apostolick might , by this Affront and Inroad upon it , be trampled under Foot . Hereupon the Pope , upon Advertisement received , issues out a Commission to understand the Matter in Debate : But the Monks upon a serious Debate with themselves , knowing the King 's impetuous Temper , they found out a more compendious Method for an Accommodation , and presented the King with two Hundred Marks in a Purse , and a meet Palfrey for his Saddle , by which Donative they so endeared the K. that they obtained Restitution of their Right , and made him for the future , their gratious Patron .

Another Conflict fell out after this , between the Abbot , and Maior and Burgers of this Town , about some Intrusions and encroachments made by the Townsmen , as was pretended , upon the Franchises of the Church . You may be sure Thorn who relates it , is warped with a partial Engagement to his own Fraternity , and with that Caution you may read him . Upon the Dissolution made in the Reign of Henry the eighth , this Mannor with all its Priviledges returned to the Crown , and lay incorporated with its Revenue untill the Reign of King Charles . And then it was granted to Sir Dudley Diggs of Chilham Castle , who not long after setled it on his second Son Mr. Jo. Digg , who not long since demised it to Sir George Sonds of Leeze-court .

Fishbourne in this Parish , is an ancient Mannor , from whence a Family of that Sirname borrowed its Appellation . One John de Fist bourn was a Witnesse to that Charter , by which a place called Messewell was given to Feversham Abby , in the Reign of Henry the second . Afterwards , in the Reign of Edward the third , I find the Dreylonds to be possest of it , but their ancient Seat , was at Cokesditch in this Parish . For in a Deed dated the twenty fifth year of Edward the third , John the Son of Stephen Dreylond , whereby he demises some Land in a place called Crouchfield , to William Makenade , writes himself of Cokesditch ; and in this Family did the Interest of Fishbourne continue , untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth . And then it was alienated to Simons , to which Name the Title hath remained constantly allied to this Day . Nor was Cokesditch fixed in Dreylond by a Tenure more permanent , for katharine Sole Heir of Sir Richard Dreylond , was matched to Reginald Norton of Milton Esquire , and so with her both the Name and Propriety of this place were entombed in this Family ; and this Reginald upon his Decease , gave it to his second Son William Norton , and from him successively was it transmitted to others of that Line , untill those Times which confined upon our Fathers Remembrance : And then it was alienated to Parsons , who was not long seated in his new Acquists , but he conveys it away to Ashton , by whose Daughter and Heir it is lately transplanted into Buck.

Frittenden in the Hundred of Cranbroke , resolves it self into several places which call for our Notice . The first is Comden . It was clapsed up within the Revenue of the Priory of Leeds , untill the Storm or Hurricano rather , in the Reign of Henry the eighth , threw it into the Demeasn of the Crown . And then that Prince , in the thirty second year of his Reign , conveyed it by Grant to Sir Walter Henley , and he in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth , transmitted it by his Deed to Sir John Baker , whose Successor Sir John Baker , even in those Times which entrenched on our Remembrance , passed it away to Mr ....... Cleyton of London .

Bewper is the second place of account in this Parish . It was in elder Times an Appendage or Fragment of that Demeasn , which did contribute to the Support of the Abby of Feversham , and upon the Suppression of that Cloister or Seminary , by Henry the eighth , it was in the thirty fifth year of that Princes Reign , granted to Sir Thomas Moil , who not long after passed it away to Robert Prat. And his Son Master Franci . Prat , primo Elizabethae , by Fine conveyed it to Mr Edward Bathurst , who not many years after , transplanted his Interest here by Sale into Sir Richard Baker , Ancestor to Sir Jo. Baker of Sisinghurst Baronet , who now by paternal Succession , is entituled to the instant Signory of it .

Wallinghurst and Buckhurst are two petty Mannors , which belonged to the Abby of Feversham , but upon the Suppression of that Covent , they were pared off , and by Grant from Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his Reign , were enstated upon Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex . But long he was not endowed with them : for in the thirty second year of that Prince's Government , he was bespattered and blasted with an Accusation of high Treason , which the Subtlety of his Adversaries had woven so closely together that he was entangled in it ; and being attainted , forfeited both his Life and Estate to the Fury , I cannot say Justice , of an incensed Prince : Amongst the Ruines of his Patrimony , these two places were comprehended , and upon his Shipwrack it returned to the Crown . And then King Henry the eighth , by a new Grant in the same year they escheated , passed them away to Sir John Baker of Sisingherst in Cranebroke , from whom they are now come down to Sir John Baker Baronet , his Successor .

Upper Peasridge was involved in that spatious Inheritance , which fell under the Dominion of the Lord Badelesmer , of whom I shall speak more at Leeds , and when he by his Disloyalty had forfeited both Life and Fortune to the Crown , this was enwrapt in the Escheat . But was restored in the second year of Edward the third to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer this Mans Son , and he in the twelfth year of that Prince , held it at his Death , Rot. Esc . Num. 44. But Giles his only Son dying without Issue , his great Estate was split into parcells , and this with some more of his Demeasne was allotted to Mawd his Sister and Coheir , who was matched to John Vere Earl of Oxford , and he in her Right was possest of it at his Death , which was in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 84. And in this Family did it reside untill the Beginning of Henry the fourth , and then it was passed away by Sale to St. Leger , to whose Patrimony it remained annexed untill the Government of Philip and Mary ; and then an Alienation like the former , brought it over to Lone , descended from the Lones of Lancashire , where there is yet a House of the Name : and being thus fixt in this Family , the Possession continues still united to it .

Fordwich in the Hundred of West-Gate , was given to the Abbot and Monks of St. Austins ( as the Annalls of that Convent testifie ) by King Edward the Confessor , and was given ad Vestitum , for Reparation of their Apparell . And there is a Tradition , that Hemp-Hall which was an Appendage to this Mannor , did pay a quit-Rent in Hemp : but certainly it must be then for the use of those secular persons which related as Officers and Servants to this Cloister ; for the Monks themselves being under the Rule of Bennet , harrowed their Skin with Shirts of Hair , and slept vestiti in their Apparell , the more to tame and controle the Mutinies and Disorders of the Flesh . But to advance : After this Mannor ( which the Piety of former Ages had planted in the Revenue of the Church ) had for a large Decursion of Time owned no other Proprietary ; it was by the Dissolution in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth , emptied into the Income of the Crown , where it lay , untill Edward the sixth in the seventh year of his Reign , granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney , and he not long after alienated his Concernment in it to John Johnson , from whom it came over by Purchase to Paramour , who passed it away to the Lady Elizabeth Finch , Widow of Sir Moile Finch , whose Son Thomas Finch Earl of Winchelsey , almost in our Memory passed it away to John Finch Baron of Fordwich , late Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England , in the year 1640 , and in him does the instant Signory of it reside .

Folkstone does contribute a Name to the Hundred in which it is situated . The Mannor it self with the Mannor of Walton , was given to the Nunnery by Eadbald King of Kent , which it seems was of that Repute in those Times , that Eanswide his Daughter was there vailed a Nun , under the Rule of St. Bennet ; and Ermenred and Ercombert his Sons , changed their hopes of a Crown , into those of one more celestiall , and folded up all their Earthly Glories in a Monastick Cowle , which they assumed at this place , under the Discipline of St. Bennet . But this Cloister was some Ages after , partly by the Fury of the Danes , and partly by the Impressions of the Sea , reduced into a heap of Ruines : so that in the Reign of William the Conquerour , William de Muneville laid the Foundations of a new Priory in another place of the Town ; which was much augmented afterwards by William de Averenches , who had married his only Daughter . But it seems upon the former Devastation of this religious Seminary , the Mannor had returned to the Crown : for in the year one thousand thirty and eight , Canutus restored to Christ-church in Canterbury ( as the Records of that Covent do intimate ) this Mannor of Folkston ; which Athelstan , Son of King Edward , in the year nine hundred twenty and eight , had formerly granted to them for the health of his Fathers Soul , and to the Honor of Vlfhelme Arch-priest of Canterbury , but with this Restriction , he limits and bounds this his Concession , that this Mannor thus returned to the Church , should never be alienated by the Arch-bishop without the Consent of the King and the Covent of Christ-church , who , it appears , joyned with William the Conquerour and the Archbishop of Canterbury , and fastned it again to this Priory , where it remained , untill it was torn away by the Suppression , in the Time of Henry the eighth , and annexed to the Crown : Afterwards that Prince , in the thirtieth year of his Reign , transplanted his Interest in it and Walton , by Grant into Edward Lord Clinton , and he the same year passed them away to Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex , who being attainted in the thirty second year of the abovesaid Prince : the Propriety of Folkston and Walton , returned to the Crown , and resided in the Royal Patrimony , untill the second year of Queen Mary , and then they were regranted to Edward Lord Clinton abovesaid , who not long after conveyed them to Mr. Henry Herdson , whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson , alienated them to his Uncle Mr. John Herdson , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth ; and he upon his Decease ( without any lawfull Issue , ) gave them to his Nephew , Sir Basill Dixwell Knight and Baronet , descended from the ancient Family of Dixwell in the North-riding of York-shire . Who likewise making his Exit without any lawful Issue , Mark Dixwell Esquire his Nephew became his Heir , and from him is the Propriety of both these places descended to his Son and Heir , Basill Dixwell Esquire .

The Nunnery of Folkston abovesaid , being much defaced , was in the Time of Henry the third , reedified and reestablished by John de Clinton , and John de Segrave , and Julian his Wife ; which was upon this second Erection stored with Nuns , who were to live as formerly , under the Rule of St. Bennet , and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Eanswith . But when it was found , in the second year of Henry the fifth , that it related by forrein Dependance to the Abby of Lolley in Normandy , it was by that prudent and cautious Monarch Supprest .

There were five Churches anciently in Folkston , three of which were dedicated to St. Peter , St. Mary , and St. Paul ; all which and one more , whose Name is not now obvious , were long since by the Assaults of the Elements , and Devastations of men , utterly dismantled : only that which was erected in the year 1095. by Nigellus de Muneville , and devoted to St. Mary and St. Eanswith , hath been too hard a Morsel for the teeth of Time to consume .

Folkston had the Grant of a Market procured to be held here weekly on the Thursday , by the Mediation of Geffrey Fitz-Peter , in the sixth year of King John , which was confirmed to William de Averenches , in the sixteenth year of the abovesaid Prince , and renewed to Sir John Segrave , in the twenty second year of Edw. the third .

Richard the second granted to Sir John Clinton , that a Market should be observed weekly at Folkston , on the Wednesday , and a Fair yearly on the Vigil , and Day of St. Giles , as appears Pat. 13. Richardi secundi Membr . 14. Pars 2.

Eabald King of Kent , about 1000 years since , built a Castle at the South part of this Town of Folkston , which being shrunk into Decay , William de Averenches erected a Fort in the year 1068 , on the Foundation of the formerly demolished Pile , whose ruinous Shell or Skeleton is yet visible ,

I have seen a Leafe by some injurious Hand torn out from the Leiger Book of Folkston , which sets forth the entertainment which the Family of Poynings were to have , when they came to hear Masse at the Priory ; a subtle Artifice used by the Monks of that Age , to catch the Benevolence of the noblest and most opulent Families of the Nation , that certainly ( had not the Statute of Mortmain , or Law of Amortization made in the seventh year of Edward the first , restrained and contracted the unlimited Bounty of the Laity to these religious Cloisters , ) almost all the Land which was of secular Interest , had been ingulphed in the Revenue of the Church : so that as one well observes this over-active and operative Devotion , would have dedicated all to God , and have left Little or Nothing to have given to Caesar .

Terlingham and Ackhanger , were the Patrimony as high as the Reign of the Conquerour ( as Doomsday instructs us ) of William de Muneville , the Repairer and Restorer , if not Founder and Establisher of Folkston priory . By whose Daughter and Heir they devolved to William de Averenches , who had Issue William de Averenches , in whom the male-line failed , so that Matilda de Averenches his Sole Heir by matching with Hamon de Crevequer , Baron Leeds Castle , made them parcel of his Demeasne : who by his Addition , so swelled his Estate , that he was styled the great Lord of Kent , and was of that Esteem in this County , that by a generall Consent and Councell of the Barons of the Cinque-ports , the Custody of the Sea-Coast from Hastings to Pool , was committed to his Care and Inspection , Pat. 19. Hen. tertii Memb. 14. And he held these Mannors at his Death , which was in the forty seventh year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 33. And left them to his Son Hamon de Crevequer , who was enwrapt in the Faction and Rebellion of Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester , raised against Henry the third ; but was , by that Act of Oblivion and Clemency , styled Dictum de Kenilworth , passed by that Prince in the fiftieth year of his Reign , called to Mercie , and to most part of his Estate , excepting Leeds-Castle , Bersted , Chetham , and some other peices , but dyed without Issue ; so that Eleanor matched to Bertram de Crioll , Juliana first matched to Nicholas de Sandwich , and secondly to Roger de Segrave , and two others who were wedded to Lenham , and Pateshull , became , as they were his four Sisters , his four Coheirs . And upon the partition of the Estate , these two Mannors came over to be the Patrimony of Crioll , and Bertram de Crioll above mentioned held them at his Death , which was in the twenty third year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 48. And left them to John his only Son , who dying Childlesse , Joan his Sister matched to Sir Richard de Rokesley , became his Heir : but he determining likewise in a Female Heir called Joan , she by espousing Sir Thomas de Poynings , Father of Michaell de Poynings of Terlingham , raunged these places under the Demeasn of that Family , in which they remained , untill the latter end of Henry the seventh : and then Sir Edward Poynings , gave them in Dower , with Mary his natural Daughter to Thomas Lord Clinton , whose Son Edw. Lord Clinton , about the Beginning of Queen Mary , by Sale passed them away to Herdson , from whom by Testament they came over to Dixwell , in which Family the Possession of them is still permanent .

Morehall is a small Mannor in this Parish , to which , William de Valentia obtained a Charter of Priviledges , in the twenty seventh year of Henry the third . After him I find the Morehalls to be Possessors of it , who ingrafted their own Name upon it , and John de Morehall , paid respective Aid , at the making the Black Prince Knight , for his Mannor of Morehall , in the twentieth of Edward the third . After this Family was extinct , the Bakers of Caldham , about the Reign of Henry the fourth , were invested in the Possession , and not many years after , Brandred by one of the Coheirs of Baker , became Lord of the Fee : from which Family , by Sale , it passed away to Sir Thomas Brown , from whom descended Sir Mathew Brown Knight , who in our Grand-fathers Memory conveyed his Right in it to Godman , who is still Lord of the Fee .

Hope-House in Folkston , belonged to the Houghams , a noble and knightly Family inhabiting at Hougham not far distant , and Robert de Hougham dyed seised of it in the forty first year of Henry the third . In the Reign of Edward the second , I find the Clintons possest of it , and William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , dyed seised of it in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third : and from him it descended to his Kinsman John de Clinton , great Grandfather to John Lord Clinton , who about the Beginning of Henry the seventh , sold it away to Davis , from which Family by a Daughter , and partly by Purchase : it came over to Lessington , and he in our Fathers Remembrance , alienated his Concernment in it to Hopday , whose Son is the instant Possessor of it .

Bredmer or Berdmer , is the last place worthy any Consideration . It is partly situated in Folkston , and partly in Cheriton ; that there was a Family of this Name , was most certain . For in ancient Deeds and Court Rolls of Valoigns , who was Lord of Cheriton after Scotton : I find frequent mention of severall of this Name , who held Land of this Family . But in the Book of Aid , I find William de Brockhull held the fourth part of a Knights Fee in Cheriton , which was this , in the twentieth year of Edward the third . From this Name by Elizabeth Heir of Thomas Brockhull , it came to be the possession of Richard Selling Esquire , and here it rested untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away to Edmund Inmith , a Retainer to Thomas Lord Clinton , who gave it to his second Son Edmund Inmith , and he was extinguished in two Daughters and Coheirs : one was married to Reyner , and the other to Baker , who in her Right shared this place , and in the Reign of King James , passed it away by Sale to Ben , who holds the instant Possession of it .

G. G. G. G.

DEptford in the Hundred of Blackheath , and Lath of Sutton at Hone , so called from the deep Channel of Ravens-purg'd . The River that here slydeth into the Thames , was heretofore called West-Greenwich , from the turning of the River Thames in such a crooked Compass , and the green Meddows adjacent . Gislebert Magminot or Magminiot , for he was a great Favorite to William the Conquerour , was one of those eight Barons and Trustees , that were joyned to John de Fiennes , for the sure Guard of Dover Castle , and were assigned competent Lands for the maintenance of that Service : his Castle or Scite of his Barony , hath been long time buryed in its own Ruines , yet some remains of Stony Foundations , make me conjecture it stood nere Says Court in Bromfield , upon the Brow of the Thames Bank neere the Mast Dock where the Skeleton of Sir Francis Drake's Ship was layd up , and in a very short time nothing left of her : but the Fame of her Captain and Steersman , cannot perish , so long as History shall last .

But to return to the former Subject , it may appear by the Quire of Dover Castle , transmitted on Record in the King's Exchequer , that it had the Reputation of a Barony and these Knights Fees were held of it .

Pevinton Kanc. duo Feeda Militum . Estswale Kanc. unum Feedum Militis . Davinton Kanc. duo Feoda Militum Cuckleston alias Cuckston Kanc. unum Feodum Militis . Waldeswareschare Kanc. 3. Feoda Militum . Leckhamsted-Bucks unum Feodum Kennington-Hert . duo Feoda Militum . Gothurst Northampton unum Feodum Militis Hertwell-Northampton duo Feoda Militum . Brandiston-Suffolk . duo Feoda Militum Hecchesham-Surrey duo Feoda Militum Whitfield Kanc. unum Feodum Militis . Coudham-Kanc . duo Feoda Militis . Bredinghurst Kanc. unum Feodum Militis . Thornham , Kersoney , tria Feeda Militum Bingbery , Kanc. tria Feeda Militum Brickhill-Buck : unum Feodum Militis .

Haec sunt Feoda de Baronia de Magminot , quae tenentur de Willielmo de Say , quae ipse tenet de Rege per Baroniam : Et reddunt Wardam ad Castrum Dovoriae . Per 32. Septimanas .

You may find mention of Walkelme Magminot , in the Catalogue of the Lord Wardens . But the Daughter and Heir of this Line , was married to Say , from whom it came to be called Says-Court , which Name it still retaineth : And was by reason of the Commodiousnesse of the Meadows belonging to it , and Stalls there erected , made a place , in the Time of the late King , for feeding Sheep and Oxen , served by Composition for the Kings House .

William Duke of Suffolk , held the Mannor of West-Greenwich , and one Messuage in Deptford , Anno 29. Hen. 6. by West-Greenwich , which was ment by that which we now call Deptford Strand : and by Deptford , is ment the upper Town , where a fair strong Stone Bridge , lately erected , doth acknowledge the sole Royal bounty of K. Charles , by this Inscription .

This Bridge was re-edified at the only charge of King Charles , in the fourth year of his Reign , Anno Dom. 1628. In former Times it w as repaired at the Charge of the Contry adjacent . For I find by a Record in the Tower . Esc Anno. 20. Edw. 3. n. 66. Quod Reparatio Pontis de Depeford , pertinet ad homines Hundredi de Blackheath , & non ad homines Villarum de Eltham , Moding-ham , & Wolwich .

The Treasurer of the Navy , hath here a commendable and convenient House for his Residence at the Dock , to view the building and repayring the States Ships and what is most expedient for the Manufacture of Cordage , Anchors , and other Provisions for Ships , by which means the Town is so greatly increased in small Tenements , and the Statute for Cottages , excepting Market-Towns , and such places as are used for building of Ships , that for number of Inhabitants and Communicants , it may compare with diverse Counties in the Kingdome : which great Increase of the Parish , caused them to new build another Isle on the North-side the Church , to which the East-Indian Company of Merchants were good Benefactors , And the Chancel enlarged with beautifull Additions , partly at the Cost of Sir William Russell Knight and Baroner , Treasurer of the Navy , and the circumspection of Doctor Valentine , the late learned and worthy Incumbent of the place .

Adjoyning to the Church , The Company of Navigators and Seamen , incorporated by King Henry the eighth , have a Hall or House for their meetings and Consultations . Certainly the use of this Society , is most considerable and commendable : for the Common-wealth , upon all Occasions , may from them receive necessary Intelligence of all the Roads , Waterings , Depths , and Conveniences , of most part of the Maritime places in the Known World .

One thing more I have to mention : and that is Hacham , which was , in K. Hen. the seconds Time , the Seat of Hacham , lying upon the Confines of Kent and Kent-fields or Kent-lands , within this County ; as Kent-Hatch in Westerham , is the very out-side of this Shire : As that place towards Surrey , called Kent-House , designs the Bounderies of this County , between Bekenham and Croydon . Divers Inquisitions , taken since that time , have found Hacham to be in Kent .

And I believe the Mannor of Bredingherst , before mentioned , was formerly in this Shire , which is now slipt into Surrey at Peckham Rey , in Camberwell . The Reception of Prisoners , from the County of Surrey , being for a good Space used to be at New Cross , hath begot an opinion , that there was the out-side of Kent : but those that will justly denote the Ambitus and Bounds , must not think it begins at Kent-street , because it is so called of the Road-way into Kent . Nor that Kentish Town by High-gate , is part of this Shire , though it pertake of the Customes of Gavel-kind . Nor at Sir Thomas Waterings , Kanc. Inq. 7. R. 2. n. 30. post Mort. E. fillii Tho. Dolsil . where the Pilgrims to St. Thomas of Canterbury , that disobedient and pertinacious Arch-bishop , watered their Horses . But a small Bridge beyond Hatcham , in the Road to London , neere which is a Road or Way to Bredingherst , which by an Inquisition , taken in the seventh of King Richard the second , appeareth to be in Kent .

In the forty third of Edward the third , it appears , that the Mannor of Hachesham , was granted to the Prioresse of Dertford , Caus . 43. E , 3. M. 6. and many parcels of Land that came by Escheat , as held of that Mannor , lying in Surrey , after the Death of Jo. the Son of Jo. Adam , were confirmed to that Foundation by the King : all which returning into the Hands of Henry the eighth , upon the publike Suppression , this Mannor , with its Appendages , was for ever setled by the Crown , on the Company or Brother-hood of the Haberdashers in London .

East-Greenwich is the next Town to Detford , so called , because it standeth more East-ward then the other , formerly spoken of . In Latin named Viridis Sinus , in Saxon Grenawic , that is , the Green Town , upon the Turning Creeke of the River .

In the Time of the Danes Invasion , they often made their Road at this place , and made it remarkable , by their Cruelty , shewed unto Ealphege Arch-bishop of Canterbury : whom in the year of our Lord , a thousand and twelve , they cruelly executed with most exquisite Torments , whose Death together with the cause thereof Ditmarius Mersepurgius , who about the same time lived , hath thus , in the eighth Book of his Chronicles described . I understood ( saith he ) by the relation of Sewald , a pitifull Deed , and therefore memorable , namely , that the perfidious Crew of Norman Souldiers , under Thurkill , as yet their Captain , took that excellent Prelate , Arch-bishop of the Citty of Canterbury , named Ealphege , with the rest , and them after their wicked manner imprisoned and bound , yea and put him to endure Famine , and unspeakable pains . This good man moved with humane Frailty , promiseth unto them a Summe of Money , and for the obtaining thereof , did set down a Time between . That if in this Space , he could not by some acceptable Ransome , escape this momentary Death , he might yet in the mean while purge himself with many a Grone , to be offered as a lively Sacrifice unto the Lord .

But when as the Time and space appointed were come and gon , this greedy Gulph of Pirats , called forth the Servant of the Lord , and in threatning-wise demand this Tribute promised unto them , to be speedily and out of hand paid . Then he , as a Meek lamb , Here am I , quoth he ; ready to undergo , ( even for the Love of Christ ) whatsoever ye presume now to do against me , that I may deserve to become an example of his Servants : and nothing am I troubled at this day . And whereas I seem unto you a Lyer , it is not my own Will , but great need and Poverty that hath done it : This body of mine , which in this Exile I have loved over much , I present as culpable unto you ; and I know it is in your Power , to do with it what yee intend : but my sinfull Soul , that regardeth not you , I humbly commend to the Creator of all things . As he was thus speaking , the whole Rabble of these prophane Wretches hemmed him round about , and getteth together diverse and sundry weapons to kill him : which when their Leader Thurkill saw a far off , he came quickly running , and crying , do not so I beseech you , and here with my whole heart , I deliver unto you all my Gold and Silver , and whatsoever I have here , or can by any means come by , save my Ship only , that you would not sin against the Lord's annointed . But this unbridled anger of his Mates harder then Iron and Flint , was nothing mollified with so gentle Words , and fair Language of his , but became only pacified by shedding his innocent blood , which presently they altogether confounded and bleanded with Ox-heads , Stons as thick as Hail , and Billets hurled at him .

And to the memory of this said Ealphege , is the Parish Church here consecrated . But far more splendid hath this sumptuous Pallace been , ever since Humphrey Duke of Gloucester , Brother to King Henry the fifth , builded the same , and called it Placence ; And likewise the Castle , and inclosed the Park : For doing them both , he had the King's Charter XI . Hen. 6. Rex concedat quod Humfridus Dux Glocestriae , & Elianora uxor ejus , possdent Karnellare Manerium suum de East-Grenwich , & Imparcare CC. Acras terrae inter Manerium suum praedictum . For it was not lawfull for any man to fortifie his House , or raise a Castle or place of Defence without Licence from the Crown , for Fear of inward Sedition : and was therefore inquirable before the Escheator in the twenty fourth Article of his Office . Item de Castellis & Dominicis Karnellatis sine Regis licencia . The word having its derivation from Charneux , whichin French signifieth the indented Form of the Top of a Wall , which hath vent and crest , commonly called Imbattelling , because it was very serviceable in fight to the Defendant within , who might at the loops or lower places , and other cranies in the Walls and Bulworkes , annoy the Enemy , that assayled the same , and might also shroud himself under the higher Parts thereof .

Afterward King Edward the fourth , bestowed some cost , to enlarge this work . Henry the seventh , followed and beautified the House , with the Addition of the Brick Front to the water side . But King Henry the eighth , as he exceeded all his Progenitors in setting up sumptuous Houses , so he spared no Cost in Garnishing Greenwich .

Queen Ann , in the time of King James , builded that new Brick-work towards the Garden , and laid the Foundation of the House of Delight , towards the Park , which Queen Mary , hath so finished and furnished , that it far surpasseth all other of that kind in England .

In Memory of the many Camps that have been here , Certain places within this Parish , are called Combes , namely East-Combe , where that godly good Gentleman William Lambert Esquire dwelt , that gave us the first Description of this Country , in his Perambulation , and made this work the more easy to any , that should endevour further Progresse therein ; Facile est inventis addere , difficile invenire .

Westcombe with its Appendant Members , related to the noble Family of Badelesmer , and upon the Attainder of artholomew Lord Badelesmer , escheating to the Crown , they lay clasped up in its Revenue ; untill King Richard the second granted them to Sir Robert Belknap the Judge ; upon whose Attainder , they were granted in Fee to Robert Ballard Esquire Pincernae suo his grand Boteler . That is the Mannors of Westcombe , and Spittlecombe in Greenwich , two Watermills in Detford , with their Appurtenances in Charlton and Writle-mersh , after which that Name , continued a long time in this place , of whom you may read more among the Sheriffs of Kent , untill about the fourth of Philip and Mary , Westcombe was altenated by Nicholas Ballard , to John Lambert Esquire , whose Successor Thomas Lambert , not many years since , alienated it to Hugh Forth : from whom it is lately gon over by Sale , to Mr ...... Biddulph of London .

Soon after the Conquest , this Greenwich , was parcell of the Possessions of the Bishop of Liseux in France , and bore Service , to Odo then Bishop of Baieux , and Earl of Kent . After , the Mannor belonged to the Abbot of St. Petres of Gaunt in Flanders , till such time , as King Henry the fifth , seising into his Hands ( by occasion of War ) the lands of the Priors Aliens , bestowed it together with the Mannor of Lewsham , and many other Lands also , upon the Priory of the Brotherhood to the Monks of Shene which he had then newly erected , to which it remained till the Time of King Henry the eighth , who annexed it to the Crown , unto which it now belongeth , and is called the Honor East-Greenwich .

Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth , were both born here ; and King Edward the sixth , a Miracle of Princely Towardnesse , ended his Life , in the same House .

King Edward the third , 1376 , in the fifty first year of his Reign founded the Religious House of Friers Aliens , or Dominican Friers . Sir John Norbury Knight , high Treasurer of England , is reckoned a Benefactor to the same , after the Dissolution of this House , and its Annexion to Shene by King Henry the eighth .

Another House of observant Friers was erected here , by King Edward the fourth , as we read in Jo. Rosse . Circiter Annum Regni Edwardi quarti , venerunt Fratres observantes Ordinis Minorum ad Greenwich , & habebant Cantariam & Capellam Sancti Crucis . And King Henry the seventh , builded that House for them adjoyning to the Pallace , which is yet there to be seen .

There are moreover in the Town , two Colledges or Almes houses , for the Sustentation of poor Persons , the one builded by William Lambert Esquire , which he named the Colledge of Queen Elizabeths poor People , and as the Prying Adversaries of out Religion then observed , was the first Protestant that built an Hospital .

The other standing by Thames-side , was founded by Henry Howard , Earl of Northampton Lord Privy Seal , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , and Knight of the Garter . And inlarged and Beautified the Castle , ( which is famous in the Spanish Fables ) from whence there is a most fair and pleasant Prospect open to the River , winding in and out , almost redoubling of it self , the green Medows and Marshes underlying the Citty of London , and Country round about . Described by Berkley in his Euphormio .

And also for a L'env'oy to Greenwich , you may read the Verses of Leland the Antiquarian Poet adjoyning to Greenwich . Blackheath , of which the Hundred taketh the name , so called of the colour of the Earth , or Bleacheath of the high and cold Situation , for bleak signifieth cold . Also Campus Martis , it may well be called : for besides the Burthen of the Danish Camps , it hath born three rebellious Assemblies . One in the time of King Richard the second , Moved , as shall be farther declared in Offham , by John Tylar , whom William Walworth , then Maior of London , slew with his Dagger in Smithfield , and thereupon , upon the Tradition comes , that the City had given them , for an Augmentation to their Eschochen , a Dagger in the Dexter-point or Canton , so to be born by them for ever .

Jack Cade that Counterfeit Mortimer , and his Crew , conducted the second , who araying themselves here , and passed to London , where they did to Death the Lord Say , and others , and executed their malice upon the Records and Monuments of the Law ; Burning down the Office of Armes , which was then kept at Cole-Harbour , burning , destroying their Rolls , Registers , and Books of Armory ; Their main Drift and Design , being to bring in Parity .

And their Insurrection was here assembled , by Michaell Joseph Black-smith , and the Lord Audley , under the Reign of King Henry the seventh ; at which time they and their Complices received their just Desert : the Common Numbers of them , being discomfited and slain , and the Leaders themselves , taken , drawn and hanged .

Of this last , there remaineth yet , to be seen upon the Heath , the place of the Smith's Tent , called commonly his Forge ; and of all , there the great grave-Hills of such as were buryed , after the overthrow . These Hills , in the West-Country , upon diverse Champions and Plains ( where is no small Store of the Like ) are called Barowes , of the old English word Burghes ; which last word , melted into Buryings , ( being a Spring of the old Stock ) we do yet retain alive .

The first and last of these Commotions were stirred of Griese , the Common people conceived for the Demand of two Subsidies . Of which the one was unreasonable , because it was taxed upon the Polls , and exempted none . The other was unseasonable , for that it was exacted , when the heads of the common people were full of Perkin Warbeck .

The third and middlemost , grew upon a grudge , that the People took for yielding the Dutchie of Aniou , and Maine , to the King of Sicily : The coming of whose Daughter , ( after that the King would needs have her to Wife , notwithstanding , his precontract made with the Earl of Armenac ) was not so joyfully embraced , by the Citizens of London upon Blackheath , wearing their red Hoods , Badges , and blew Gowns , as in Sequele the Marriage and whole Government it self , was known to be detested of the Country Commons , by bearing in the same place , Harnesse , Bowes , Bills , and other Weapons . Thus far , the Story of Blackheath proves but sad and tragical : That which remains , is of a more glorious and splendid condition , consisting of Ovations and Triumphs ; for when the Emperour of Constantinople , came to require Aid against the Turks , King Henry the fourth , with all Princely respect , went to meet him at this place , and so conducted him to London . And when King Henry the fifth , returned from his victorious Conquest of France , the Lord Maior and Citizens of London , went forth in their best Equipage , to attend his Reception at this place , at which time the King made many Knights Bannerets ; And K. Hen. the eighth , that excelled in all Triumphal matters met Anne Cleve , daughter to the Dake of Cleve .

Graveney in the Hundred of Boughton , was in the year of our Lord eight hundred and eleven , by Archbishop Vlfred , bought of King Kenwolfe , ( as the Book of Christ-church , sets it forth , ) ad opus Ecclesiae Christi , to the repair of the Cathedral . In the year of Grace eight hundred and thirty , Werhardus a Priest of much Power in England , ( by the injunction of the Arch-bishop ) gave Graveney to the Monks of Christ-church , which had been before snatched away , and then passed under the Notion of thirty two Hides ; and if you will see how it was rated , in Dooms-day Book , it is thus there represented : Graveney , est Manerium Monachorum , & est de Vestitu eorum , quod Richardus Constabularius tenet in Feodo de Archiepiscopo , & tamen reddit firmam Monachis , & pro 1 Sulling se defendit . This Mannor by the Successive Proprietaries , was held in Fee , of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury .

Here was a Family called Gravenell , who were Lords of this Mannor , which John de Gravenell , dyed possest of , in the fifty sixth year of Henry the third . Afterwards I find the Fevershams , a Family so called , held it . Richard Feversham was seised of it at his Death , which was in the thirteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 100. But deceased without Issue-male , so that his only Daughter Joan matched to John Boteler became his Heir . This John Boteler , was high Sheriff of Kent , in the twenty second year of Richard the second . But dyed likewise without Issue-male , so that his Estate here , which devolved to him by Female Right , by the same Fate , was carried away to John Martin , one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas , who married Ann his Sole Heir , and this Man lyes buryed in Graveney Church , under a Fair Stone inlaid with Brasse , and his Pourtraicture insculped thereon , with this Inscription affixed . Hîc jacet Joannes Martin , Justiciarius de communi Banco , qui obiit 24 Octobris , 1436 , & Anna Uxor ejus . From Martin , the Propriety of that Estate here , which had been diverse years entituled to this Name , went by Purchase into Pordage of Rodmersham , in which Family the Possession hath for several Generations been constantly resident .

Gravesend in the Hundred of Toltingtrow , was anciently the Possession of a Family called Cramavill , who had likewise very considerable Possessions in East-Kent . Henry de Cramavill , held it at his Death , which was in the fifty fourth year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 8. And Joan , Wife , I believe , of Henry de Cramavill , was seised of it at her Decease , which was in the eighth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 53. After this Family was gon out , I find the Lord of the Fee , to be Reginald de Cobham , who was in Possession of it at his Death , which was in the forty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 15. and in Ages of a lower Step , another Reginald Cobham , was seised of it , in the seventh year of Henry the fourth : and from him , by the Heir Generall it came down , to Braybrook : and by the Heir general of that Family , it was transmitted to Brook , of the County of Somerset , from whom descended the infortunate Henry Brook , Lord Cobham , who being attainted in the Beginning of King James , forfeited this Mannor to the Crown : in whose Revenue it lay involved , untill the late K. Charles granted it to his Kinsman James Duke of Lenox , upon whose late Decease , it is now become the Inheritance of his Son Esme Duke of Lenox , now in his Minority .

Milton neer Gravesend , in the Hundred of Shamell , was an Ingredient which made up that Estate , which fell under the Signory of the Montchenseys , Lords and Barons of Swanscamp . Warren de Montchensey , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Milton , in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third , and he had Issue William de Montchensey , who held it at his Death , which was in the fifty second year of Henry the third : and left it to Dionis his Female Inheritrix , wedded to Hugh de Vere , by whom she having no Issue , that might transmit the Possession to his Family ; the Interest of it was , by Joan , Sister and Coheir of the abovementioned William , knit to the Patrimony of her Husband , Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke ; whose Son William de Valence dying without Issue , Isabell his Sister and Coheir , being wedded to Lawrence de Hastings , afterwards Earl of Pembroke , united it to his Demeasn , and his Grandchild John de Hastings , about the beginning of Richard the second , passed it away to Sir Simon de Burley , who being attainted of high Treason , in the tenth of his Rule , because , according to his Oath , being Knight of the Garter , and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , he endevoured to underprop , like some Butteresse , the sinking Prerogative of his Master , against the onsets of some of the ambitious Nobility , it escheated to the Crown . And then the aforesaid King , in the fourteenth year of his Government , granted it to John Holland Earl of Huntington ; and he not long after conveyed it by Sale , to Reginald Cobham , whose Widow , Elizabeth was remarried to William Clifford Esquire , and he in her Right , I find , was possest of it in the ninth year of Henry the fourth . But after his Death , it reverts to Braybrook , who had matched with Joan the Heir general of Cobham , and he determining likewise in an Heir general , matched to Brook , of the West-country , it devolved with Cobham , to acknowledge the Signiory of that Family , but continued not long in their Possession : for about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , I find it in the Tenure of Robert Brent , from whom it descended to his Son William Brent , who in the eighth year of King Henry the seventh , conveyed it to Sir Henry Wiatt ; and from him did it come down to his Grandchild Sir Thomas Wiatt , who being attainted in the second year of Queen Mary , it escheated by Confiscation to the Crown , and then it was granted to George Brook Lord Cobham , and went along with that Family , untill the beginning of King James , and then Henry Lord Brook having embarked himself in the unhappy Design of Sir Walter Rauleigh , was atrainted of high Treason , and his Concernment in this Mannor , was forfeited to the Crown , and was , not many years after , by the above-mentioned Prince , granted to Mr. George Tucker of Gravesend ; whose Grandchild Mr. George Tucker , hath lately passed away all his Interest here to Mr ...... Hamon , of Queenhith in London .

Parrocks is likewise situated within the Circle of Gravesend , and had owners of that Sirname , as is evident by an ancient Record , which testifies , that Robert de Parrock , Pat. de An. 52. H. 3. Memb. 10. obtained a Market , weekly on the Saturday , and a Fair yearly to endure for the Space of three Days , viz. the Vigil , the Day of St. Edmund , and the day after , in the fifty second year of Henry the third . Afterwards , this Mannor was linked to the Revenue of the Crown , but whether it was thus annexed by Sale , or by Exchange , I confesse , I am ignorant : only I find by the original Patent , that in the sixth year of Richard the second , it was granted to Sir Simon de Burley ; upon whose Attaint , in the tenth year of the abovesaid Prince , it devolved to the Crown , and Richard the second , not long after , setled it on the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-Hill , in whose Revenue it remained untill King Henry the eighth tore it off by the Publique Dissolution , and united it to the Royall Revenue , where it had its fixed aboad , untill the thirteenth year of King James : and then it was granted to Mr. William Salter ; who not many years after , passed it away to Mr. James Crispe ; from whom in our Memory , partly by Purchase , and partly by Exchange , it went over to Mr. Jo. Child , in whose Descendant the Propriety is still permanent .

Gravesend , had anciently a Market on the Thursday , and a Fair yearly on the Day of St. Edward the Confessor , both granted to this Town , in the thirtieth year of Edward the third .

Gillingham , was a Mannor always relating to the Arch-bishops of Canterbury , though the Donation by the Book of Christ-church be not specified . If we survey the Pages of Dooms-day Book , they will give us this : Gilling ham est proprium Manerium Archiepiscopi , & in tempore Ewardi Regis se defendebat pro VI. Sullings , & est appretiatum hoc quod Archiepiscopus habet inde in Dominio VIII . lb. &c X.s. The Arch-bishops of Canterbury , had here an eminent Pallace , and held their Residence at it , and gave Consecrations here to Bishops , as we find it recorded in the Book called Textus Roffensis , or , the Text of Rochester .

East-court , and West-court in this Parish , were anciently knit together , and resided in a Family called Gillingham . Richard de Gillingham , Son of Thomas de Gillingham , held it at his Death , which was in the twelfth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 176. And left it to his Son Thomas Gillingham , who resolved into two Daughters and Coheirs ; Margaret married to John Thorpe , who in her Right , had West-court ; and Isabell , matched to William Crensted , who brought along with her East-court . But as all things have their Fate and Vicissitude , they did not long acknowledge the Dominion of either of them ; for Thorpe sold West-court to Nicholas Lawson , of Whoorn-place in Cuckston , who not long after , by the same Devolution , passed it away to Duling of Rochester , by whose Female Heir , it is now come over to Mr. Stephen Alcock : but Thorp ; Ferme , on which he had planted his own Name , he alienated to Short , and from this Family it went away again by Sale to May of Rochester . Greensted endowed Benedict Webb , his Sisters Son , and in that Relation his Heir , with the Title and Propriety of East-court , whose two Grand-children Thomas and Christopher Webb , by a mutuall and joynt Concurrence , devested themselves of their Right , and by Sale surrendered it up to Will . Painter Esquire , Great Grand-father to Mr. Allington Painter , the instant Proprietary of it .

Twidall , is another Mannor of eminent Account , and had Owners likewise of that Appellation . The first , that I find of the Name , in Mr. Painter's Evidences , which held both this and Dane-court , is Robert de Twidall , and he slourished here about the Reign of Henry the first , and he had Issue Adam de Twidall , from whom was lineally extracted , Richard de Twidall : who in the fourth year of Richard the second , passed away this , and Dane-court , to John , the Son of Robert de Beaufitz , originally descended from Reade in Marden . But in this Family , the Possession was not very permanent , for in some Descents after , the Name went out into into Joan Beaufitz and other Coheirs : and she by matching with Robert Arnold of Sussex , did enstate the Possession of both these places , upon this Name and Family , and he bequeathed them as Dower , to his Daughter Elizabeth Arnold : and shee , in the thirteenth year of Henry the seventh , conveys them over to her Brother Henry ; and his Son William Arnold , in the eighteenth year of Henry the eighth , transports his Right in them by Sale to Thomas Benolt Clarenceux King of Arms : from whom the like Conveyance , in the twentieth year of that Prince , brought itto Sir Hen. Wiatt , one of the Privie Councel , to Hen. the 8 , whose Son Sir Tho. Wiat , in the thirtieth year of that King , exchanged them for other Lands with the Crown : from which immediately after they were conveyed by Grant to Christopher Sampson , who not many years after , transplanted his Interest by Sale , into Thomas Parker : who conveyed away his Right in Twidall , to William Painter Esquire , great Grand-father to Mr. Allington Painter , who now enjoys it : but Dane-court , was by Purchase brought over to Short , in whom it had not long continued , but the same Fatality carried it away to May of Rochester .

The Grange in this Parish , sometimes written Grench , did in the Conquerours time , appertain to the old Lords called Hastings , Ancestors of the Lord Hastings now Earl of Huntington . In the Book called Testa de Nevill , kept in the Exchequer we read that one Manasser de Hastings , held Grench by Serjeanty under King Hen. the third , and the particular Office , in some more modern Records is described , viz. that it is held of the King ( and not of the Cinque-ports as some do suggest ) by Serjeanty , to find two men and two Oars in the Ship , which carries over the King from Dover to Whitesand by Callis . From Hastings , it came over by Purchase to Richard Smelt Alderman of London : whose Daughter and Heir Margaret Smelt carried it away to Richard Croyden likewise an Alderman of London : in whom the male-line failing , Margery his Sole Heir was matched to John Philipott Esquire , Alderman of London in the Reign of Edward the third , and Lord Maior of London , in the Reign of Richard the second , by which Prince he was invested with the Order of Knighthood , for being so signally instrumental in the Ruine of Wat Tiler , Jack Straw and his seditious Complices , and had after the Addition of Gules , A plain Crosse between four Swords Argent , Pomell'd , Or , as a Coat of Augmentation annexed to his Paternal Coat , viz. Sable a Bend Ermin , for setting out a Fleet of Ships , at his own expence , and vanquishing John Mercer , and his piratical Rabble , who had so infested the narrow Sea , that the Trade of the Merchant , was brought into a deplorable Condition ; and had sunk , had he not buoyd it up again , by his Care and Magnanimity . Yet how laudable soever the work were , it escaped not the Envy of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , who questioned him at the Couucel-Board , for that he being a private Person , had embarked himself in an Attempt of so much Concernment , without Order and Licence first obtained by the State : but by the noble Favour he received from his honorable Friends there , especially Rychard Fitzallan Earl of Arundell , whose Arms he placed in his House , as a Monument of Gratitude , and left him a Legacie in his Will , he was fetched off with Reputation . But to proceed , in Right of the former Alliance , he was planted in the Possession of this Mannor , and from him it devolved to his Grandchild John Philipott Esquire . And he in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth , exchanged this Mannor with Sir Richard Bamme , Son of Adam Bamme , Lord Maior of London , for Twiford in Middlesex , and from him it descended to John Bamme Sheriff of Kent in the second year of Richard the third . And he gave it to his Daughter Katharine Bamme , who passed it away by Grant to Kempe and Wiatt . Sir Thomas Kempe sold his moiety to Sir Thomas Wiatt , who having forfeited this to the Crown , by his unhappy Defection in the second year of Q. Mary , it lodged in the royal Revenue , untill Queen Elizabeth in the twenty fourth year of her Rule granted it back again , to the Lady Joan Wiatt , and her Son George Wiatt Esq ; who in our Fathers memory , alienated it to Hayward : from which Name by the Heir Generall of this Family , it is lately brought to acknowledge Mr. Will . De Lawn of London for its present Proprietary . There was a Chappel belonging to Grench , which upon the Inquisition returned into the Court of Augmentation ; but upon the Suppression in the Reign of Hen. the eighth , was affirmed to have been erected by Sir John Philipott . I confesse I have seen no other Record , to evince any thing to the Contrary , and therefore I acquiesce in that Testimony .

Vpbery is the last Mannor in Gillingham , which was a Limb of that Demeasn which related to the Nunnery , at Minster in Shepey : and when the whirlwind of the common Dissolution in the Reign of Henry the eighth , had shook this into the Revenue of the Crown , that Prince in the thirty eighth year of his Reign , passed it away by Grant , ( as appears by the original Patent ) to Sir Thomas Cheyney ; whose Son Henry Lord Cheyney , exchanged it with other Lands with Queen Elizabeth , and shee ( as is manifest by the Patent now in the Custody of Brasen-nose Colledge ) granted it to Sir Edward Hobby ; who about the latter end of her Reign , conveyed it to the Reverend Alexander Nowell , Dean of Pauls : and he dying without Issue , in the year 1601 , left it for ever to Brasennose Colledge in Oxford , with this Proviso , that one of his Alliance should hold it in Lease from that Society for ever , paying to the Colledge an 100 Marks per Annum , according to the Tenure of which Testamentary Restriction , it is now enjoyed by Col. Tho. Blount of Wriklemersh Esquire .

Gillingham had a Market procured to it , to be held weekly , on the Thursday , and a Fair to be observed yearly at the Feast of St. Crosse , and seven days after , by John Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the eleventh year of Edward the first , as appears Cart. Num. 3.

Lidsing , is the last place of Account in this Parish , it was , in Ages of a higher Ascent , the Inheritance of an ancient Family , called Sharsted . Simon de Sharsted possest it at his Death , which was in the twenty fourth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 42. In Ages of a lower Computation , I find Roger de Say , to be possest of it ; and he about the fiftieth of E. the 3d. gives it to Rob. Belknap the Judge , who about the tenth year of Richard the second , was by Sentence from Parliament , exiled into Ireland , for too vehemently asserting the Prerogative of the Crown , which in the Estimate of those Times , was thought to have opened those sluces too much , which would have let in the Inundations of an arbitrary Power upon the people's Liberties . But this Mannor was again restored by that Prince who looked upon this person as his Martyr , to him as its ancient Possessor , in the twenty second year of his Reign , and he by his Deed , bearing Date the eighth of October , in the second year of King Henry the fourth , gives it to the Priory of St. Andrews in Rochester , for one Monk who was a Priest , to celebrate Masse for ever for the Soul of his Father John Belknap , and for the Soul of his Mother Alice , Wife of the said John , and likewise for the Soul of himself , and all his Successors , in the Cathedrall of Rochester . This , upon the Dissolution of the former Priory , was by Henry the eighth , upon his Institution of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester , granted to them for their support and Alimony , and rested in their Revenue untill these Times .

There was another Chauntry founded at Twidall , by John Beaufits , which he makes provision for , by his last Will , the twenty second of November , in the year of our Lord , 1433 , and orders it to be dedicated to John the Baptist , and likewise that one Priest should there celebrate Masse for the Soul of Himself , his Wife Alice , his Father John , his Mother Isabell , and his Uncle William Beaufitz : the Seats in the Chappel , and other Remains , declare it to have been formerly a neat and elegant Piece of Architecture .

Here was a signall Encounter ( as the Annals of St. Austins testifie ) between Edmund Ironside , and Canutus the Dane , wherein , after a Sharp Debate , the Dane was broken and discomfited .

At Gillingham likewise ( as Thomas Robburn a Monk of Winchester testifies ) was acted that bloody Tragedy by Earl Godwin , who slew all those Normans who arrived with Edward unto the tenth man , for which his Name as well as his Conscience , stands bespatter'd and stain'd with an indelible Character of Ignominy , and Cruelty to all Posterity .

Goodwenston in the Hundred of Feversham , was the ancient Seat of Chich. The first of Eminence , was Ernaldus Chich , who was a man of principall Account in the Reign of Henry the second , Richard the first , and King John : nor were they more eminent here , then they were at Canterbury , where they had large Possessions , and unto them did the Aldermanry of Burgate appertain . Thomas Chich of Goodwenston , was a prime Benefactor , to the Church of St. Mary Bredmin in Canterbury , where his Name together with his Effigies are in an old Character set up , in the West-window , as his Coat is likewise in the Chancel , insculped in Stone-work . He was Bailiff of Canterbury , an Office not contemptible in those Times , in the year 1259 , and again in the year 1271. Thomas Chich , this mans Son , was Sheriff of Kent in the forty fourth year of Edward the third , and held his Shrievalty at Goodwenston . Thomas Chich , this Mans Son , was Sheriff of Kent likewise in the fifteenth year of Richard the second , and he was Grandfather to Valentine Chich , who matched with Philippa Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert Chichley , Brother to Henry Chichley , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , but dyed without Issue-male : so that his three Sisters and Coheirs wedded to Kemp , Judde , and Martin , shared his Inheritance , and by a joint Consent , about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , passed away their Estate here and at Ewell , in this parish , to Pordage of Rodmersham : and from this Name about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth it passed away to Fagg descended from the Faggs of Willesborough , where I find by the Court Rolls of the Mannor of Brabourne , that one Andrew Fagge held Lands there of that Mannor , in the Reign of Edward the third . But to go on , the Faggs had not long been planted in their new atchieved Purchase at this place , when Robert Fagge concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , Ann who was matched to Sir John Proude , who was unhappily slain at the Groll , in the year 1628 , whilst he did vigorously pursue the Quarrel of the States General , at that Siege against the Capital Enemy of their Religion , and Liberty , the Spaniard : and Mary espoused to Sir Edward Partrich , for his first Wife , but dyed without any Issue surviving by him . Sir John Proud left only one Daughter called Ann , who was first wedded to Sir William Springate , and secondly to Mr. Isaac Pennington , eldest Son to Isaac Pennington , Lord Maior of London in the year 1643 , in Right of which Alliance , he at present holds this Mannor of Goodwenston .

Goodneston by Wingham vulgarly called Gonston , lies in the Hundred of Wingham and was formerly parcell of the Patrimony of Hastings Earl of Pembroke , bequeathed to him by his Kinsman John de Hastings ; who was first Husband to Juliana , the Heir generall of Roger de Leybourn . John de Hostings held it at his Death , which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , and so did his Son John de Hastings after him , and brings a pleading for it in the fourteenth year of R. the second . After them the Malmains were possest of it , who had some Estate here before , which they had by Purchase from Pine and Beauchamp , about the Beginning of Edward the third , and in this Family did it remain , untill Henry Malmains , about the year ........ deceased without Issue-male , and then by Agnes his Daughter and Heir marryed to Thomas Goldwell , it came to own the Jurisdiction of that Name and Family , but was not long fastned to it : for he ended likewise in a Female Heir called Joan , who was wedded to Thomas Took of Bere Esquire , and so by her it was united to the Revenue of this Family , and here rested ; untill that Age which came within the Circle of our Grandsathers Knowledge , and then it was passed away to Henekar , from which Name in Times almost of our Cognisance , it went away by a Revolution like the former to Kelley , who conveyed it to Engham , descended from the noble Family of the Enghams , of Woodchurch , who flourished so many Ages at Edingam , and Pleurinden in that Parish .

Bonnington in this Parish , is the ancient Seat , from whence the numerous and Knightly Family of Bois , did as from their originall Fountain issue out , into Fredville , Betteshhanger , Haukherst , and other parts of this Countie ; and do derive themselves from John de Bosco , who is mentioned in the Battle-Abby Roll , of those who entered this Nation with Will. the Conquerour : and certainly they have not been much lesse at this place then 17 Descents , as the datelesse Deeds of several of this Family who writ themselves of Bonnington , do easily manifest . Nor hath it yet deserted the Name , or departed from the Possession of Bois , being at this present , part of the patrimony of Sir John Bois , to whose paternal Arms , the late King for his eminent and loyall Service perform'd by him at Donnington Castle , added as an Augmentation , upon a Canton , Azure , a Crown imperial , Or.

Rolling , is a third place in this Parish to be taken notice of : It contributed a Seat as well as a Sirname , formerly , to a Family called Rolling . Thomas Rolling held some Lands in Lease at his Death , which was in the fisteenth year of Ric. the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 143. which Lands belonged to a Chauntry in St. Peters Church in Sandwich , and lay in Eastry , near his Mannor of Rolling . After this Family was worn out , the Idley's who had large Possessions about Mepham , Cobham , and Higham , as appears by the Inquisition taken after the Death of John Idelegh , in the forty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 58. Parte secunda , were by Purchase seated in the Possession , and preserved it untill the Reign of Henry the eighth ; and then it was alienated to Butler of Heronden in Eastry ; from whom in the Beginning of the raign of Q. Eliz. it went away to Roger Manwood , Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer : whose Son Sir Peter Manwood , in our Fathers Remembrance , alienated it to Dickenson , from whom not many years since it was brought over to be the Possession of Master .......... Richards .

Godmersham in the Hundred of Felborough , was given to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury , by Beornulfus King of the Mercians , in the year of Grace eight hundred twenty and one , free as Adisham ; and it was , at the Request of Arch-bishop Vlfred , to supply the Covent both with Food and Raiment , which Grant Arch-bishop Egelnoth , who it seems had some Interest in the Place , in the year one Thousand thirty and six , did fully confirm . And in the year one thousand three hundred fourscore and seven , Thomas Arundell Arch-bishop of Canterbury , with the especiall Licence of Richard the second , appropriated the Tiths of the Rectory of Godmersham , to the Church of Christ-church , to the Support and Maintenance of the Fabrick of the Church abovesaid .

If you will see what Value was set upon this Mannor in the Time of the Conquerour , I shall afford you a Sight of it , out of Dooms-day Book . Godmersham ( says that Register ) est Manerium Monachorum , & de Vestitu eorum , & in Tempore Edwardi Regis , se defendebat pro VIII . Sullings , & est appretiatum XX. lb. sed tamen reddit XXX . That is , it paid a Rent of thirty pound to the Church .

Yolands and Ford , are two other little Mannors in this Parish , which acknowledged themselves anciently to be parcell of the Inheritance of Valoigns . And Robert de Valoigns , dyed possest of these and much other Land in this Track , in the nineteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 41. Henry de Valoigns , this mans Son , was Sheriff of Kent , in the fourteenth of King Edward the third , and he had Issue Waretius de Valoigns , and Stephen de Valoigns who planted himself at Gore-Court in Otham , and is represented in Record , to be one of the Conservators of the Peace for this County , in the twenty ninth , and thirty first years of Edward the third : but Waretius de Valoigns determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , one was matched to Fogge , and the other to Thomas Aldon , Son of Thomas de Aldon , who was one of the Conservators of the Peace in Kent in the tenth and twelfth years of Edward the third , and he in her Right was entituled to the Possession of these places . And in this Family did it for diverse years continue , untill the ordinary Mutation of Purchase rowled them into the Inheritance of Austin ; to which Name , the Title remained constantly linked , untill that Age we style our Grand-fathers , and then they were by Richard Austin , passed away by Sale to Broadnix , so that they are now by paternal Right , devolved to Thomas Broadnix Esquire , in whose Estate the instant Propriety of them does lye involved .

Egerton in Godmersham was a Mannor which formerly swelled the demeasn of the noble Family of Valence , who were Earls of Pembroke . Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke , held it at his Death , which was in the seventeenth year of Edward the second , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 75. And leaving no lawfull Issue , this , upon the partition of his Estate , increased the Revenue of John Comin Earl of Badzenoth in Scotland , who had married Joan one of his two Sisters and Coheirs : But long it remained not here , for he deceased without any Issue-male , so that Joan his sole Daughter , matched to David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl , became his Heir , and he in her Right , was found to be invested in the Possession , in the first year of Edw. the third , as is manifest Rot. Esc . Num. 85. And from him did it devolve by Descent , to his Son and Heir , David de Strabolgie , who in the seventh year of Edward the third , by Deed , setled it on his Kinsman Sir Henry de Hills , which , Katharine his Widow and Countesse confirms , the twentieth year of that Prince : Gilbert de Hills , lieth buryed in Godmersham Church , and as appears by his Pourtraicture in his Armour , was a person of Eminence in that Age , wherein he flourished , and from him , and Sir Henry de Hills , did issue forth many eminent and worthy Successors , who were Proprietaries of this Mannor , untill that Age which fell within the Precincts of our Crandfathers Memory , and then it went away by Sale to Scot , a Cadet or younger Sprig of the Scotts of Scotts-Hall : the Heir General of which Family , was Mrs. Dorothy Scott , who being lately matched to Mr. Daniell Gotherson , he in her Right is now ( though not without a signal Contention at Law , with some collateral Pretenders to the Title ) peaceably planted in the Possession of it .

Godmersham as the Records of Christ-church inform mee , had the Grant of a Market , to be observed weekly on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly upon the Thursday and Friday , in Whitson Week by the Prior of Christ-church , in the Reign of Edward the third .

Goudherst in the Hundred of Marden , with the inherent Mannor of Bedgebury , were the ancient Patrimony of a Family of no cheap Account in this Track , which , as it chose one of these Mannors for its Seat , so did it derive its Sirname from thence likewise , and was called Bedgbury , and certainly were of a very high Ascent in their Extraction . For in a Deed without Date , one John de Bedgebury demises some parcels of Land to William de Comden of Comden House in this Parish , and the Seal affixed to this Deed is a Cavalier on Horseback , armed , like one of the Knights Templers , which argues that he lived before the Suppression of that Order , and assumed that Impresse out of his particular Affection to them ; or else , which was customary in those Times , out of some signall and solemn vow , to maintain the Temple of our Saviour , from the Assaults and barbarous Impressions of Infidels , which these persons were by their Oath , and first Institution , oblieged vigorously to defend also . John de Bedgebury , this man's Successor , paid respective Aid for his Lands at Goudherst , and likewise for his Mannor of Bedgebury , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and left these above recited Mannors to his Son John de Bedgebury who dying without Issue , his Sister became his Sole Inheritrix , who by matching with Thomas Colepeper of Bayhall in Pepenbury , Sheriff of Kent in the eighteenth year of Richard the second , fastned the Propriety of these places , to the Interest of this Family , where they continued undivided , but in the thirty eighth year of Henry the eighth , Court Shingley was by Thomas Colepeper alienated to Stephen Darell : but Goudherst and Bedgebury , were not plucked away from this Family , by this Alienation , but continued united to their Estate , so that at this Day they own Thomas Colepeper Esquire , for their Proprietary .

Combwell was a Priory of Black Canons , under the Rule of St. Augustin , and was founded by Sir Robert de Thurnham , and dedicated to the Honor of St. Mary Magdalen . Their Revenue lay scattered in Marden , Stapleherst , and Goudherst ; in which last , there was an obscure Cell , or Convent of Nuns , which had their principal Subsistence by their Charity , whose Ruines are yet visible , though their Revenue , was so narrow , that no Record informs us where it was situated . Upon the Dissolution in the Reign of Henry the eighth , this devolving to the Crown , that Prince in the thirty fourth year of his Government , granted it to Sir John Gage , one of the Justices of the Peace , both for Sussex and Kent ; and his Successor conveyed it to Colepeper , who immediately after , passed it away to William Campion Esquire , Ancestor to Sir William Campion , who was offered up a Sacrifice , to the Cause and Quarrel of the last King at Colchester , in the year one thousand fix hundred forty eight , and in his Heirs is the Interest of this Mannor at this instant resident .

Finchcocks is a third place of note in this Parish , made more eminent in that it was the Mansion of a Family of that Sirname , whom , although I find invested in the Possession of this place , ever since the fortieth year of Henry the third , yet do I not discover that any of the Family was illustrious by any important undertaking , or famous by any eminent Office . The next Family which stept into the Possession was Horden of Horden ; and he became Proprietary of it by Purchase about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , one of which Family was Edward Horden Esquire , who was Knight of the Greencloth to Edward the sixth , Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth : who dyed without Issue-male , and left his Estate to be shared between two Daughters and Coheirs , Elizabeth matched to Mr. Paul Bathurst , descended from Bathurst Street in Nordiam , and Mary espoused to Mr. Delves of Fletchings , who in her Right carried away Horden , where certainly , the above-recited Family had flourished under a noble Estimate ; for Edward Horden the last of this Name was issued out from William Chichley , second Brother to Henry Chichley Arch-bishop of Canterbury ; and for some considerable Service performed to the Crown , had the Augmentation of a Regal Diadem , upon a Canton added to his paternal Coat , by Queen Elizabeth . But to proceed , Finchcocks by the above-mentioned match , devolved to be the Possession of Bathurst , and so owns it self at this Day , to be the Estate of this Name and Family .

Patenden is another place which gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of no vulgar Repute in this County , and was seated in its Possession , as appears by original Deeds and other old Records , as high as the Reign of Edward the first , and where , in the twenty ninth year of Henry the sixth , there was issued out a Commission to Gervas Clifton Esquire , then Sheriff of the County , to return all those , who did portare Arma antiqua . Amongst the Register and Catalogue of those who were then returned , Patenden is recorded , who was Lord of this place , and from him did the Propriety of this place by Descent glide down to his Successor , who , in those Times we style our Fathers , passed it away by Sale to Mr. Bathurst .

The Borough of Twisden , is a fifth place , which invites us to a Survey . It was in elder Generations the Inheritance of Twisdens , upon whom , I may without any Supply of Flattery , strew those just Attributes of Ancient and Noble . The first , that I find by Deed to be of this Family , Possessor of it , was Adam de Twisden , and he was seised of it , This Rog. Twisden was Steward to the Abby of St. Augustins a place of great Trust in those Times . in the one and twentieth of Edward the first . In times of a lower Descent , Roger Twisden was possest of it , and in the fifth year of H. the fourth , affixes to a Deed now in the Hands of Sir Roger Twisden , of Roydon Hall , Baronet , the Signature or Impression of a Cockatrice on Wax . The Crest , which , at this Day , is annexed to the paternal Coat of this Family , a rare thing in those Times when Crests were infrequent and unusuall , and began to be customary , when those eminent Familyes who were embarked in the two Factions , of York and Lancaster , assumed them to serve as Evidences or Symbols of Distinction , whereby the Son might avoid the plunging his Sword in the Bowells of his Father , or a Brother the Sheathing his in the Entrails of his Brother . But to proceed , the last of this Name , who possest this place , was Roger Twisden , who about the Beginning of H. the sixth , passed it away to Roger Twisden , and he immediately after conveyed it by Sale to Geffrey Allen , who about the latter end of H. the sixth , setled the Right of it by Deed in Thomas Windhill . And thus far do the Copies of diverse original Evidences , which relate to this Place , extend and no farther . After this , it was for diverse Descents wrapt up in the Propriety of Austin , who not many years since expiring in a Female Inheritrix , she , by matching with Mr. Fowle a Cadet of the Fowles of River-Hall in Sussen , hath made it the present Possession of that Name and Family .

Shingley is another Mannor in Goudherst , which belonged to that Revenue which did own the Signory of the Priory of Leeds , and upon the suppression , when the Patrimony of this Cloister was broken to peeces by the Scepter of Henry the Eighth , this was in the thirty sixth year of that Prince granted to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire , with all the Priviledges which it was fortified with , when it related to the abovementioned Cloister , as namely to be Tith-free , &c. But the Title ( such a Moath and Canker cleaves to the Patrimony of the Church when it is transplanted ) made no long stay in Colepeper , for in the thirty eighth year of Henry the Eighth , this Thomas Colepeper alienated it to Stephen and Thomas Darrell ; but in this Family likewise was the Possession of as frail a permanence : for they nor long after conveyed it to William Campion Esquire , Counsellor at Law , from whom it descended to Sir William Campion Governor of Borestall House near Oxford , for His Late Majesty , and who was after slain at Colchester , asserting the Royal Interest , and in his Descendants is the Propriety of it still wrapped up .

Bokinfold is the last place of Consideration in Goudherst ; it was a Mannor which related to that Chauntry , which was founded here by Hamon de Crevequer , and confirmed with all the Franchises annexed to it by Edward the Third , in the one and fortieth year of his Raign , and in this Patent of Inspection and Ratification , it is mentioned that Hamon de Crevequer , was its Founder : But the common Dissolution in the Raign of Henry the eighth , renting away ( like some suddain and impetuous Torrent ) this Mannor from those Ends and Uses it was first designed to , lodged it in the Crown , and then the abovesaid Prince in the one and thirtieth year of his Raign , granted it to Paul Sidnore Gentleman , and he not long after conveyed it to Sir John Gates ; but he being one of the principal Emissaries or Complices of John Seymour Duke of Somerset , being inwrapped and ingaged past Recovery in the Design of the above said Duke , sunk in the Ruines of that unfortunate Peere , and was convicted of High Treason , and beheaded on Tower-Hill , in the fourth year of Edward the sixth . Upon his Tragedy , this Mannor returned to the Crown , and stayed there , until the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was granted to Katherine Tong , who not long after passed it away to Colepeper of Bedgebury , who , almost in our remembrance , passed away that part of this Great Mannor , which is circumscribed within the Verge of Goudherst to the instant Proprietary Brewer .

Joan Widow of Roger de Bedgebury , in the third year of Richard the second , obtained a weekly Market to Goudhurst on the Wednesday , and a Fair yearly on the Day of our Ladies Assumption , Cart. de Anno tertio Richardi secundi , Numb . 13.

H. H. H. H.

HAckington , otherwise called St. Stephens , lies partly in the Hundred of Bredge and Petham , and partly in that of Westgate , and did in elder Times appertain to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury , until it was exchanged by the Prior , and that Covent and the Monks of it , with Stephen Langton , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , for other Houses situated near the Priory of St. Gregories in Canterbury , and he having here at Hackington erected a new Fabrick , bestowed and setled it on his Brother Simon de Langton , Arch-deacon of Canterbury , from whom it successively came down to the following Arch-deacons , and became their fixed Mansion until the Raign of Henry the eighth , of those who were invested with that Office : But in the general suppression , the impious hand of sacriledge having plucked it off from the Church ; it was annexed to the Crown , and continued there until Queen Elizabeth granted it to Sir Roger Manwood , chief Baron of the Exchequer , and from him did it devolve to his Grand-child , Sir John Manwood , who passed it away in our Memory to Colonel Sir Thomas Colepeper , Colonel of a Regiment of Foot in the Low Countries , in whose Descendants the Possession is now resident .

In Times of a very high Ascent , Arch-bishop Hubert , and after him Arch-bishop Baldwin had a Design to have erected a Colledge first here at Hackington , and then upon second Thoughts at Lambeth ; but the Monks of Christ-church , believing that this intended new Seminary of Religion , might something by its Interposition darken the Glory and Grandeur of their Covent , first by Alanus their then Prior , and afterwards by Proxie , so vigorously opposed this Project at Rome , that by the Favor and Indulgence of the then Popes , it was vacated and extinguished : But in times subsequent to these , these Monks having much endeared Stephen Langton , the then Arch-bishop , by bestowing some Signal Favors on Simon de Langton his Brother , the Controversie , which was fomented by the above mentioned Design , by his compliance with the Monks was appeased , and entombed in an amicable Pacification .

Broad-oake is another little Mannor in Hackington , which anciently made up the Demeasne of the Noble Family of Hadlow : for Nicholas de Hadlow , I find had a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Medgrove and Broadoake , in the one and twentieth year of Edward the first : After Hadlow was extinguished , the ancient Family of Hardres of upper Hardres were ingrafted in the Inheritance , and one Edmund Hardres , as I discover by an old Court-roll , held it in the fourth year of Henry the 4 th . and after him his Grand-child George Hardres died possest both of the Lands at Medgrove and Broadoake , in the one and twentieth of Edward the fourth , and in this Name was the Possession constant until the Beginning of Henry the eighth , and then they were passed away by Sale to Sir Edward Boughton of Burwash in Plumsted , and his Son Thomas Boughton Esquire , in the seventh year of Edward the sixth , alienated them to Reginald Highgate and William Hanwick , and they not long after conveyed them to ...... Roper Esquire , from whom they are now by Descent transmitted to his Successor , Mr. Edward Roper of Well Hall in Eltham .

Shalford and Medgrove were alwaies annexed to Hackington above mentioned , of which they were accounted , but as Limbs or Ingredients , and in the fourteenth year of Queen Elizabeth , were granted in Lease for Life to Sir Roger Manwood for Life , but the Fee-simple remained in the Crown , until about the Beginning of King Charles , and then they were granted to Sir Edward Sidhenham , and Mr. Smith , and they not long after passed them away to Mr. Robert Austin , then of London , but now of Bexley in this County .

Hadlow in the Hundred of Hadlow Borough & Littlefeild , gave both Seat & Sirname to a Family ancient and conspicuous enough in this Track : but whether the same with that Family which was seated at Hadlow-place in Crundall , is altogether ambiguous ; certain I am that Edmund de Hadlow died seised of it in the thirty second of Edward the third , and from this Name in the subsequent Age it came to the Crown , but whether by Escheat , Exchange , or Purchase ; no Beam , scattered from any private or publique Record , can so far enlighten my Knowledge as to discover . Henry the sixth , in the twenty fifth of his Raign , granted this and many other Possessions , lying about the Skirts of the Lowey of Tunbridge to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham , and with this Name it went along till Edward Stafford being infortunately offered up a Sacrifice to the Malice and Ambition of Cardinal Wolsey , in the Raign of Henry the eighth , and the Losse of his Head having been the expiation of some Vanities , which he had been too much Guilty of , the Right by his Attaint flowing back into the Crown , it was invested in the twentieth year of Henry the eighth by Royal Concession in John Vane Esquire , whose Successor Sir Henry Vane , not many years since sold it to Thomas Petley , whose descendant now enjoyes it .

Peckham in this Parish was part of the Patrimony of the Noble Family of Peckham , and one John Peckham ( as the Book called the Survey of the Mannors of Hadlow , taken in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth informs me ) anciently possest it , from which Name it was by Sale rent away , and incorporated into the Interest of Colepeper ; for John Colepeper ( as the above mentioned Survey instructs me ) sold it to Leigh , and after the Possession had been for some intermission of Time riveted into this Family , it was by the same Alienation taken away , and by John Leigh transmittted to Sir George Rivers , whose Son Sir John Rivers , did lately upon his Decease as his Heir successively claim it .

The Mannor of Fromonds is mentioned likewise in the abovesaid Survey : It gave Sirname to Fromonds , Ancestor to Fromond of Cheame in Surrey ; but whether it yeelded Seat likewise , is the Question . Certain it is , it staid not long in this Name : for Richard Fromond sold it to Colepeper : nor was it long fixed or constant in this Family neither ; for Richard Colepeper after the ebbing away of some successive Generations cast the Possession by sale into John Fromond again , originally extracted from the above mentioned Richard Fromond : and to this Name this Seat and its Interest continues ( for ought I can yet discover ) at this instant fastned and united .

Causton is the next ( because it owned a Family of that Sirname ) that claims our Consideration . It was in Ages of higher Ascent , the Demesne and Interest of some of this Name ; but whether the Caustons of the County of Salop were issued from hence , or these of this Seat extracted originally from thence , is yet under dispute ; and the more , because Eviderce of Deeds , which is the Lant horn , not only of Antiquity , but sometimes of Reason likewise , is wholly wanting . It is without Controversie , this Mansion was not long in the Caustons , for the thread of Succession was interrupted and broken , and Hugh Causton by Sale conveyed it over to the Wattons of Addington : nor was it long resident here , for William Watton sold it to Thomas Peckham branched out from the Peckham , of Yaldham in Wrotham , from whom by a like Mutation that changed the Scene and Face of the Title ; it was alienated to Vane , and after some stay in that Name , lately by Purchase made the Propriety of Maynard of Mayfeild in the County of Sussex .

Totlingbery had the Repute of a Mannor also , and was the Mansion sometime of that Name , till Time the great Channel of all Things , that either sinks or preserves them , carried it down from John Totlingbery , to the Family of Roberts of Glastenbury in Cranbrook , and the same stream of vicissitude wafted it not long after from Walter Roberts the Last of that Name , which enjoyed it , to John Vane Esquire ; where ( no Record or Evidence suggesting yet any thing to the contrary ) I think it yet continues .

Goldhell may be looked upon as a place of some importance , since some Families of Estimate have been Possessors of it , for first it was the Possession of the Bealds ; so they are styled in the Survey . And when this Family began to moulder away , the Title by Sale shifted it self to the Fromonds , a Name eminent enough in this Track : and when they began to languish away into the common Familty of Families : John Fromond sold it to the Colepepers of Oxenhoath . And this Branch of the Colepepers concluding at last in three Daughters and Coheirs ; one of them being wedded to Cotton of Lanwade in the County of Cambridge , made this Part of the Revenue of that Family ; but they desiring to contract their Interest into a nearer Circumference , cast this by sale into the Possession of Sir George Chowne , to whose Successor it very lately entitled it self .

Goding and Crombery are Mannors of some Signal Respect , since they acknowledged themselves to be part of the Patrimony of Fromond , a Family by an eminent Succession of Gentry noble and conspicuous , which being by Time broken and disordered ; it not long after was by Thoma Fromond sold to John Goding . From whom after the series of that Name was by the same alteration interrupted ; it was conveyed to the Peckhams , where it hao not long made its Residence , but the Title by purchase ( like an Orbe never much in repose ) rowled it self from Thomas Peckham into Vane , where for some years it has rested .

The Mannor of Moateland● shall be the last mentioned , ( though not in the above specified Survey , yet ) in mine , in Relation to this Parish . The first Family that I track in the Record to be Possessors of it , were the Bakers of East-Peckham , in which Name the Propriety of it lay wrapt up , till Richard Baker did devest himself of his Right , and passed it over by Sale to Burgesse : where it had not long dwelt , but the same Change untwined it . For Thomas Burgesse alienated it to Henry Leigh , and in his Successor ( till a clearer Ray of more Modern Intelligence , directs me to believe the Contrary ) I think the Possession is resident .

There are two other Seats of Venerable Account in this Parish . The Mannor of the Rectory is the first , which in the year 1287. was by Thomas de Inglethorp Bishop of Rochester ( as the Records of that Church signifie ) appropriated to the Knights of St. John , otherwise called the Knights Hospitalers , and remained locked up in their Demeasne , until the publique Suppression snatched it away , and united it to the Crown , where it lodged until the second year of Edward the sixth , and then it was granted to Sir Ralph Vane , whose Descendant about the middle of Queen Elizabeth passed it away to Roger Twisden Esquire , Captain of a Troop of Kentish Gentlemen at the Camp formed at Tilbury , to oppose the Hostile Eruptions of the Spanish in the year 1588. And from him it is now come by Descent to be possest by his Grandchild , that learned and accomplished Gentleman Sir Roger Twisden of Roydon Hall , Knight and Baroner .

The second is Fish-Hall , the Mansion formerly of John de Fisher , so called , because he was invested with a Priviledge by Gilbert de Clare , Earl of Glocester , and Lord of the Lowey of Tunbridge , to have the Fishing freely and uncontrouledly within his Jurisdiction , or as far as it did extend , so that from this Immunity or Franchise , his Posterity contracted the Sirname of Fisher , and for some Ages , did the Right of it remain interwoven with the Demeasne of this Family , till Richard Fisher sold it to John Vane Esquire , from whom the same Revolution not long after transported it to Rivers of Chafford , and now the Title is ingrafted into a yonger Branch of that Family .

Halling in the Hundred of Shamell , has nothing remarkable in it but the Mannor of Langridge , aliâs Bavent ; for so it is written frequently in Records , and indeed not without some Reason to support the Orthography ; for in Times of elder Prescription , it gave both Seat and Sirname to a Family that had that Appellation , and there is some Track or Print yet of the Ruines of a Mansion-house in that Feild , which is at this Day called Bavents ; and Roger de Bavent died in possession of it in the thirty first year of Edward the third : and when this Name was worn out , the next which we find in Succession to be Proprietary of it , was Langridge , a Branch spouted out from that Stem of Langridge , which was anciently planted in the County of South-hampton . And when this Family was decayed and vanished , and had left nothing to evidence to us that it had once a Being here : but the adopting this Mannor into its Name , the Possession went into Melford , and here , after it had had some short abode , it abandoned this Family , and cast the Interest of it into the Patrimony of Raynwell , whose Successor after some short Flux of Time ( as appears by the Book of Aid kept in the Exchequer ) sold it to Robert Wotton , in the seventeenth year of Henry the seventh , and he suddainly after alienated this and other Lands to Whorne of Cuckston ; nor was the Title any length of Time lodged in this Name ; for a Fate of the same condition with the former carried it over to Vane , from whom it flowed away in the same Current , and by Sale emptied it self into Barnewell , nor was it lesse permanent there , for the same inconstant Tide wafted it down to Nicholas Lewson , and Sir Richard Lewson his Grand-child , desirous to wrap up all his Interest within the County of Stafford , alienated his Kentish Lands to several persons , and sold those which were part of his Demesne here to Barber .

The Mannor of Halling it self was given to the Church of Rochester , by Egbert King of the West Saxons , in the year of our Lord 838. and has continued parcel of the Churches Patrimony in an uninterrupted Succession of Time , till the year 1643. and then the Title was raveled and discomposed .

Halden in the Hundred of Blackborne and Barekley has nothing worthy in it that may oblige a Remembrance , but only Hales-place , from whence , as from their Fountain , the several Streams of the Hales , that in divided Rivulets have spread themselves over the whole County , did originally break forth . But where this Hales-place is now placed , or in what Angle of the Parish it is situated : I confesse I cannot instruct my self , unlesse it be that Great House which was the Original Seat of the Scots , before they planted at Congerherst in Haukherst , and which Reginald Scot sold to Sir Edward Hales . Indeed it is often mentioned in the Pedigree of Hales , and likewise in the Deeds of that Family , as lying in Halden , which is evidence enough that there was such a Mansion in this Parish ; though peradventure through Neglect and Disuse , and by altering its Possessor , it have at present lost its Name .

Halstow in the Hundred of Hoo , was anciently part of the Barony of Bardolph , but did not long rest here , for Isolda the Daughter and Co-heir of Hugh de Bardolph , being married to Henry Lord Grey , this was thrown into that Scale ( with other Demesnes of vast Estimate ) which did after swell the Revenue of this Baron into a huge Dimension . But , as all sublunary matters have the Fate of an uncertain inconstancy written in indelible Characters upon them , so had this ; for Richard Lord Grey , this mans Successor , sold it to John Lord Cobham , and he died possest of it in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third , from whose Heir an equivalent Vicissitude resigned it up to the illustrious Family of Zouch ; and William La Zouch , extracted from the Zouches of Haringworth in the County of North-hampton , died actually possest of it in the fifth year of Richard the second ; and after the Title had been some years knit to the Relation and Interest of this Family , it was at length torn off by the rough Hand of Time , and by Sale surrendered up to Norris , from whose Heir by as quick a Transition it conveyed it self over to Sir Edward Hales Grand-father to Sir Edward Hales Baronet , now surviving .

Halsted in the Hundred of Codsheath was the Inheritance of a good old Family called Malavill , who were of no contemptible Account in this part of the County ; for in the Pipe-Rols , relating to the Raign of King John , I discover , that Robert de Malavill was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae , in the fourth year of that Prince , and then again in the seventh year of his Rule , he was dignified with that eminent Place of Trust , and he had Issue William de Malavil , who was in the enjoyment of this Mannor at his Death , which was in the Raign of Henry the third , as appears by an escheat Roll , marked with the number 56. And in this Family did the Right and Title of it lie involved , untill the latter End of Edward the third ; and then the noted Family of Bures stept by Purchase into the Possession , and John Bures , ( as appears to me by an old Deed ) held it in the fourth year of Richard the second ; he was Son of William Bures , who paid respective Aid for part of a Knights-fee , which lay in Bromley , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight ; and William Bures Son of John lies entombed in Halsted Church , pourtraied at length in Brass , and mail'd in Armor upon a fair Grave-stone , being Marble , with this Inscription : Hic jacet Willielmus Bures Armigeri Dominus Manerii de Halsted , qui obiit 1454. And this was he who was Sheriff of Kent , in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth : But after his Death it was not long in the Fruition of this Name ; for about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , I find it in the Hands of Thomas Bourchier , descended from the Bourchiers of Essex ; and he about the Latter End of that Prince , passed it away to Stephen Petley Esquire , who lies buried in Halsted Church . And in this Family was the Title fixed , untill the Beginning of King James , and then the Fatality of Sale did alternate the Possession , and annexed it to the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Watson , who dying without Issue-male ; his only Daughter and Heir was espoused to Sir William Pope , afterwards created Earl of Downe in Ireland by King James , and so in her Right this Mannor became the Inheritance of his Son , the Right Honourable William Earl of Downe , who not many years since passed it away to Mr. Edward Ash , whose Widow Mrs. ........ Ash , holds it at this instant in Right of Dower .

Halstow in the Hundred of Milton , hath nothing memorable in it , but Berkesore alias Basser-court , which was , as high as any print of Antiquity can direct me to discover , the Patrimony of the Church ; for King Stephen devoted it to find a supply of perpetual Lights before the Chest or Shrine ( ante Capsam , those are the words of the Record ) of Anselme the eminent Arch-bishop of Canterbury ; and it hath been many years past held by the Darrels of Cale-hill as Lessees , and is still by that Right enjoyed by Sir John Darrell of the same place .

The Church of Halstow , ( as the Records of Christ-church instruct us ) was given by Boniface Arch-bishop of Canterbury , to buy Books , for the Chaunter of that Covent .

Hamme in the Hundred of Eastry , was , as the Records of Christ-church in Canterbury inform me , given to the Prior and Monks of that Covent in the year 934. by one Eylfleda ; but how it was rated in the Conqueror's Time , when , if not all , yet at least the principal part of this County was surveyed , the Pages of Doomesday Book are silent : In brief , the Moity of this Mannor , ( for one Half of it was alwaies under the Jurisdiction of Lay-proprietaries ) being by the Donation abovesaid , made parcel of the Spiritual Patrimony , remained treasured up in the Revenue of the Church , as in an unviolable Exchequer , until both the Covent of Christ-church , and all its Demeasne , was surrendered into the Hands of Henry the eighth , and that Prince in the thirty fifth year of his Raign , granted that part of it which belonged to the Priory of Christ-church to Sir Thomas Moile , who not long after passed it away to Sir Robert Oxenbridge Knight , from which Family in our Grand-fathers memory it went away by Sale to Bois of Betshanger .

The other Moity of Hamme , belonged to the Criolls of Walmer , of which Family I shall speak more at that Place : Simon de Crioll , as I discover by old Deeds , held it in the Raign of King John and Henry the third , and transmitted it to his Son Nicolas de Crioll , who held it at his Death , which was in the one and thirtieth of Edward the first , and from him did it by the steps of several Generations descend to Sir Thomas Crioll , who was slain at the second Battle of Sr. Albans , tamely , and in cold Blood ; that is , he was beheaded by Queen Margaret , wife to King Henry the sixth , in the thirty eighth of that Prince's Raign , because he had been an eager Partisan of the House of Yorke , and being thus infortunately cut off , left that great Estate he was possest of , in this County , to two Daughters and Co-heirs , one of which was matched for his second wife to John Fogg of Repton Esq ; Son and Heir of Sir William Fogg , and he had Issue by her Thomas Fogg , Serjeant Porter of Callis Esquire , a Place of eminent Trust and Concernment in those Times . And he ended in two Daughters and Co-heirs ; Anne first matched to Mr. William Scott , Brother of Sir Reginald ; and secondly , to Mr. Henry Isham , and Alice first wedded to Edward Scott , of the Moat in Sussex Esquire , and after to Sir Robert Oxenbridge , of the County of South-hampton ; but the Moity of this Mannor of Hamme , upon the dividing the Estate into equal Portions , fell to be the Inheritance of Edward Scott , in Right of Alice his wife , and his Descendant in our Grand-fathers Remembrance alienated all his Interest and Concernment here , to Bois of Betshanger , whose Successor Mr. John Bois of Betshanger Esquire , is now entirely possest of this Mannor ; as namely , of that Moity , which came over to this Family , by Purchase from Oxenbridge , as well as of that , which devolved to this Name , by Purchase from Scott .

Harbledowne in the Hundred of Westgate , though at present but an obscure Village , and not of much Eminence , was in Time of more ancient Date famous for three memorable Places . First , for an old Chappel situated upon the Margin of that Precipice which overlooks that way which leads to Canterbury . In which Oratory , as Tradition informs us , was preserved the Slipper of Thomas Becket , taken from one of his Feet after his being destroyed at his own Church at Canterbury , and which , as Report insinuates , was bespattered with his Blood ; this being curiously enchased with Diamonds ( so much did those Times dote on this then reputed Saint and Martyr ) was let down for Passengers , who travelled to Canterbury to offer up their Orizons at his Shrine , to adore with a kiss ; nor was it returned , but full fraighted and laden with the Benevolences of devoted Pilgrims .

The second was Polres , which anciently had and still keeps the Repute of a Mannor ; John de Polre , Son of John de Polre payd respective Aid for it , in the twentieth year of Edward the third ; and when after some expiration of Time , this Family began to find the common Sepulcher which wairs upon all Humane Glory , Decay and Oblivion ; the Martins , a Name of generous extraction in this Track , stept in and by Purchase became Lords of the Fee , and held it , till the Name being contracted into Anne Sole Daughter and Heir of Jo. Martin by marriage with Roger Brent ; it was knit to the Patrimony of that Family , and so for some years remained undissolved , till the Union by Sale was broken ; and not long since passed over to Sir Thomas Bind ; where , at present , the Possession is wound up with the other Demeasne of that Family .

The Mannor of Beverley is a third place of Note in Harbledowne . It was the Sear of the ancient Family of Beverley , before they removed to Tancrey Island in Fordwich ; and having remained Proprietaries of it many Generations , by Efflux and Descent it was guided down to William Beverley Esquite , from whom the Title ebbed away , and in whom the Name determined ; for , he deceasing without Issue Male , Beatrix was his only Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Thomas Norton Esquire , by which Alliance , the Title of this place became inter-woven with his Inheritance , and continued clasped up in it , until the middle of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Merseday , in which Family it had a setled Residence , until some sew years since the Mutation of Sale brought it to one Mr. ....... Richardson for its Proprietary .

Lanfranck , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the year 1071. Founded an Hospital at Harbledowne for Lepers , employed afterwards to the Use of aged people . William Wittlesey Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the year 1371. founded a Chauntry here , and dedicated it to the Honor of St. Nicholas , which Foundation , in the year 1402. Was by Arch-bishop Arundell fully ratified and confirmed .

Nether-Hardres in the Hundred of Bridge and Petham , is eminent for two Places situated within the Precincts and Ambuts of it . The first is Hepington , which certainly was anciently the Chichs of the Dungeon in Canterbury ; for I have seen a Record , wherein Nicolas Mesingham releases his Right in this and divers other Lands confining on Canterbury to Tho. Chich. But let it be granted , it was theirs ; certainly the Title was very volatile and incertain ; for I find the Foggs when they expired , to be next in Possession of it , which was as high as the entrance into the Raign of Hen. the fourth . And here for some Ages the Title fixt it self , till at length the Fatality of Time passed it over by Sale to Hales , one of whose Successors has lately sold the Mansion House to Sir Thomas Godfrey , but still preserves the Propriety of the Mannor it self in his Name .

Lindeshore , but vulgarly called Linsore , is the second Place that Objects it self to a Consideration . In the eighth of Edward the third an Original Fine represents it to be Thomas de Garwinton's ; and here many years the Possession was resident , till Joan his Niece , became ( by Reason her Nephew Thomas Garwinton , Grand-child to this Thomas de Garwinton died without Issue ) the Heir General of this Family , and she being married to Richard Haut , a Cadet of the Hauts of Hautsborne , alias Bishops-Bourne , made this , part of their Demeasne ; but this Name not long after concluding in Margery Haut , Sole Daughter and Heir to Richard Haut ; she being made the wife of William Isaack of Blackmansbery in Bridge , involved this in her Husbands Revenue , to which , after it had been some time united , it was by Sale from this Family carried over to John Brent Esquire : and this Name , some narrow Distance of Time after resolving into a Daughter and Heir called Margaret , who was married to John Dering , this became part of his Estate , and so continued till his Successor not long since sold it to Young of Canterbury .

Vpper or High Hardres , call it which you please , is placed in the Hundreds of Bridge , Petham , and Lovingborough , and gave name to a Family which certainly was of Saxon-extraction , being compounded of two Saxon words ; Erd , which signifies Earth ; and Reys , which signifies Rivulets or small Drils of water . And , more to establish this Opinion , the Record of Doomes-day Book informs us , that Rodbertus de Hardres held half a Sulling or Ploughed-land in Liminge , in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror : this man was Ancestor to Philip de Hardres , who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae , in the Raign of King John , and his Son Philip de Hardres was a man of that Eminence under the Government of Henry the third , that he matched with Grace , Daughter and Heir of Stephen de Harengod ; and I have seen an old Deed , which bears the form of a Latine Will , wherein this Stephen settles his Mannor of Elmested , and other Lands in this Track upon this Philip de Hardres ; which Deed , though not dated , certainly relates to the Time of his Decease , which was in the one and fortieth of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 23. But though this Mannor gave Sirname to Hardres ; yet I find some others had an Interest in it , or at least some part of it , before it absolutely and solely came to confesse the Signory of this Name : Oliver de Bohun obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at High Hardres , in the first year of Edward the first , which was renued to Nicolas de Hadlow or Hallow , who had not long before purchased the Inheritance of the above said Family at this place , in the one and twentieth year of the above mentioned Prince ; but about the latter end of Richard the second , I find this Family quite dislodged from this place , and the Sole Demeasne and Propriety wrapped up in the Family of Hardres : one of whom , by Name Henry Hardres , was one of the Justices of the Peace for this County , in the Time of Henry the fourth , and Henry the fifth ; and from him , is descended Sir Richard Hardres , now Lord of this Mannor , who by a Title riveted and incorporated into him by a Chain of many uninterrupted Descents , does now claim the Signory of it .

Southcourt is another little Mannor in Upper Hardres , which in elder Times was entituled to the Propriety of Garwinton , a Family of signal Estimate and deep Root in this Track ; for in an old Pedigree of Isaac , I discover that Thomas and William de Garwinton , were in the List of those Kentish Gentlemen that accompanied Henry the third in his Expedition into Gascony , in the thirty seventh year of his Raign , which Design by the ill Conduct of his Affairs , and worse Managery of his Arms , was very ruinous and full of dysaster , to that Prince : But this Family , about the eleventh year of Henry the sixth ( as I have shewed in Bekesbourne ) being extinguished without Issue ; the Heir General brought this Mannor to be possest by Haut , from whom some two Descents after , the same Fatality brought it to be enjoyed by Isaac , in whom the Propriety was resident , until the Beginning of Henry the eighth ; and then it was conveyed to Diggs , a Family which had some Interest in it ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and some Descents before ; and from this Name not long after the same Alienation carried it off to Hales of the Dungeon , in which Family it hath remained so constant , that it is the instant propriety of Mr. ..... Hales , a yonger Branch of that Family .

Hartlip in the Hundred of Milton hath divers places of Account in it : First , Gore Court , which was , in Times of an elder Aspect , the Inheritance of a Family of that Appellation : and I find that Henry at Gore held it at his Decease , in the one and thirtieth year of Edward the third , and remained with the Demeasne of this Name , until the Beginning of Henry the fifth , and then it was transmitted by Sale to Werdecre or Werdegar , and here it fixt , until the seventeenth year of King James : and then William Werdegar , Son of George Werdegar , passed it away to Sir Nicholas Tufton , whose Son and Heir John Earl of Thanet is now the Owner of it . Juliana de Leybourne had some Estate here at Gore Court , which , at her Decease , in the three and fortieth year of Edward the third , escheating with the Remainder of her Estate to the Crown , was by that Prince , in the fiftieth year of his Government , settled upon the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-hill , which he had before founded in the twenty fourth year of his Raign , and lay involved in the Patrimony of that Cloister , until the general suppression , and then it was granted by Henry the eighth to William Werdegar , whose Successor sold it with that part of it , which was alwaies of secular Interest , to Sir Nicolas Tufton .

Popes-hall in this Parish had Owners likewise of that Sirname , who likewise were entituled to some Estate at Gaesden in Tenterden , and continued Lords of this Seat , until the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then it was by Richard Pope Gentleman , transmitted by Sale to Christopher Bloer , by whose Daughter and Heir called Olympia Bloer , it devolved to be the Inheritance of Mr. John Tufton Ancestor to the Right Honorable John Earl of Thanet , now Possessor of it .

Ealgar or Ealdigar , now vulgarly by melting away the L , called Eager Court or Eagar Croft , was anciently , as appears by several old Deeds without Date , the Patrimony of William de Elmested , but continued not long in this Family ; for in the thirteenth year of Edward the first , I find it folded up in the Inheritance of Roger de Northwood , and in this Name the Title was resident until the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was transplanted by Sale into Norton of Borden , from whom in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , part of it was passed away by Sale to Champneys , and in the eighth year of that Prince , the Remainder was by the same Fatality , brought to confesse the Signory of the above-mentioned Family , from whom , Thomas Rider , held it in Lease , in the Reign of Henry the seventh ; and in the seventeenth year of that Prince , passed away all his Interest and concernment in it to Mark Harris , but the Propriety of this place , continued still in Champneys . And from him , did part of it , in the twenty fourth year of Henry the eighth , passe back again by Sale to Norton , and the Remainder in the thirty second year of that King's raign , was by the same conveyance wholly remitted to the above recited Family , and made its aboad here untill the fourth and fifth year of Philip and Mary ; and then John Norton , by Sale conveyed his Right in it , to Gilbert Fremlin , and he in the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth , alienated all his Concernment in it , to John Palmer Esquire , Father of Sir Anthony Palmer , and Grandfather of Dudley Palmer Esquire , the instant Possessor of it .

There is a Mannor in this Parish , vulgarly and corruptly called Grayney , but in old Deeds Graveney , as being indeed the Patrimony of a Family of that Sirname : of which Stem was Stephen de Graveney , whom , as private Record informs me , held it in the raign of Edward the first , and in his Descendants , I find it successively constant and fixed , untill the Reign of Henry the sixth . And from that Prince's Rule , I must make a leap to the Government of Henry the eighth , and then I find it in the Tenure of John Mayney of Biddenden Esquire , great Grandfather of Sir John Mayney of Linton Knight and Baronet , the present Lord of the Fee .

Hartley in the Hundred of Acstane , made up a part of that Patrimony , which came within the Circle of that Revenue , which owned for Proprietaries the Lords Montchensey , whose capitall Seat was at Swanscamp , where I shall treat more largely of them ; but it seems they had a special regard to this Mannor , for Warren de Montchensey , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to Hartley in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third , and left it enobled and secured with this Franchise to his only Son , William de Montchensey , who dying without Issue , Joan his Sister and Heir by marching with William de Valence Earl of Pembroke , entituled him to this Mannor , and she held it at her Death , which was in the first year of Edw. the second : from whom it devolved to her Son Aymer de Valence , who dying without Issue-male in the seventeenth year of Edward second ; Isabell de Valence his Heir Generall , united it to the Inheritance of her Husband Lawrence de Hastings , afterwards Earl of Pembroke , from whom it came down to his Grandchild John de Hastings . And he deceasing without Issue , in the year 1389 , left it to his Kinsman Reginald Grey , and he brings a pleading for this and other Land , against John le Scroope , in the fifteenth year of Richard the second , and in the second year of Henry the fourth , as appears by the Book of Dover in the Exchequer , he was peaceably fixed in the Possession , and was a person of considerable Rank and importance in those Times , for he bore a pair of gilt Spurs at the Coronation of the abovesaid Prince . But no eminence of Birth or Dignity can chain the Possession of a place to a Family , when the Title leans upon the Wheel of an inconstant and ebbing Estate . For the Revolution of Sale about the latter end of Henry the sixth , carried it from this Name to Penhale , and John the Son of Emma Penhale , as appears by the Book of Dover in the Exchequer , held it in the second year of Edward the fourth , but the Propriety was not long constant in this Family : for about the latter end of Henry the seventh , I find it in the Tenure of Cressell , but it was not long permanent in this Family neither : for about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , it was by Sale transplanted into Ballard , and here the Possession rested untill the latter end of Edward the sixth ; and then it was alienated to William Sydley Esquire , Ancestor to Sir Charles Sydley Baronet , who now is entituled to the Right and Propriety of it .

Hastingleigh in the Hundred of Bircholt , did anciently confesse the noble Family of Haut , to be its Proprietaries , and was in their Possession untill the beginning of Henry the fourth , and then Edward Haut passed it away to Robert Poynings of Ostenhanger , and in the Revenue of this Family was enwrapt , untill the Decease of Sir Edward Poynings ; in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and he dying without any Issue of his Body lawfully begotten , ( and there being none that could justly entitle himself by Right of Blood or Alliance to his Possessions ) it devolved by Escheat to the Crown , and K. Edward the sixth , in the last year of his reign , by Royal Concession invested the Right of this Mannor in the City of London , and there it is still resident .

Hawkherst in the Hundred of Barnefield , was granted by William the Conquerour to the Mannor of Wye , which with all its Appendages , was to hold of the Abby of Battle , and remains ( though that Abby be supprest ) a Member or Limb of that Court to this Day .

Congerherst in this Parish , was a Mansion that formerly gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so called , and which in a Successive Series did relate to this Name , untill Mildred Congerherst , Sole Daughter and Heir of Thomas Congerherst , matching with Thomas Scott , made this the Propriety of that Family , to which it is still united .

The Royalty and Rents of Haukherst upon the Suppression of the Abby of Battle , were in the thirty third year of Henry the eighth , granted to * * He was likewise Privy-counsellor to those three Princes , and one of the Executors of Henry the eighths Will . Sir John Baker Attorney Generall , and Chancellor of the Exchequer to that Prince , King Edward the sixth , and Queen Mary ; but Differences and Clashings , breaking out between the Descendant of Sir John Baker , and the Heir of the Lord Hunsdon , Lord of Wye , touching claims ; to bury all future Animosities in Amity and mutual Compliance , Sir Henry Baker , in the seventeenth year of King James , conveyed it to Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon , now Earl of Dover ; who some years since , passed it away to Sir Thomas Finch , Father to Heneage Earl of Winchelsey , now Lord of the Fee .

Haukherst had a Market anciently , now shrunk into Disuse , on the Tuesday , and a yearly Fair three Days , viz. the Vigil , the Day of St. Lawrence , and the Day subsequent to it , both procured by the Abbot of Battle , ( as the original patent instructs me ) in the fifth year of Edward the first .

Hawking in the Hundred of Folkstone contains two little Mannors within its Verge , which must not be passed over in Silence . The first is Bilchester , which belonged to the Knights Templers , but upon their Suppression , in the second year of Edward the second , it escheated to the Crown , and remained there untill new provision was made , by the Statute called Statutum de Terris Templariorum , passed in the seventeenth year of the abovesaid Prince , to enstate it on the Knights Hospitalers , and make it part of their Revenue , and accordingly was united to their Patrimony , nor was any hand so bold as to tear it off ; untill the generall Suppression of this Order , in the Raign of Henry the eighth , did invest it in the Crown : and that Prince in the thirty third year of his Reign granted it to Sir Anthony Aucher in Lease : and he not long after , assigned it to Thomas Sommersall , by whom it was made over to Richard Simonds , but the Fee-simple continued in the Crown , untill the year 1648.

The second is Fleggs Court , which was folded up in that Demeasne , which related to the Abby of St. Radigunds , and upon the Suppression of that Cloister , was exchanged by Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his Reign , for other Lands with Thomas Cranmer Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and so remained free from violation , untill these Times wrapt it up in the Demeasne of that See .

Hedcorne in the Hundred of Eyhorne , containd within its Limits , First Modenden , vulgarly called Mottenden , where was a Monastery for Monks of the Order of Crouched Friers , and founded by Sir Ric. de Rokesley : the Head of which Covent , was called Minister , and in the cloudy Times of Popery , was much resorted unto by the enchanted Vulgar , by reason of some special Priviledges they were endowed with , as of granting of pardons , and others of the like Nature : all which met with their Sepulcher in the Ruine of this Abbey , and that fatall and destructive Wound it received in its finall Dissolution , from the Hand of Henry the eighth , which Prince , upon its escheating to the Crown , granted it in the thirty sixth year of his Government , to Sir Anthony Aucher . And he , in the second year of Edward the sixth , passed it away to Sir Walter Henley , by whose Daughter and Coheir it came to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire ; who in the sixth year of Edward the sixth , conveyed it to Christopher Sackvill Esquire , from which Family in our Grand-fathers Remembrance it came over by Sale to Franklin ; and his Successor George Franklin dying without Issue , bequeathed it by Testament to his Kinsman Sir William Sydley , whose Grand-child Sir Charles Sydley Baronet , is intituled to the instant Fee-simple of it .

Kents Chauntry is a second Place of Account in Headcorne , called so because here was a Chauntry founded by one John Kent , in the sixth year of Edward the fourth , and a large Demeasne settled upon it , to support the Chauntry Priest that was to officiate there ; all which upon the suppression was in the two and thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , granted to Sir Anthony St. Leger , whose Son Sir Warham St. Leger , about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away by Sale to Beresford of Westernham , from which Family in our Memory it went away to South-land ; and he very lately hath alienated it to Mr. ...... Belcher , now Minister of Gods Word at Ulcombe .

Kelsham is a third Seat in this Parish , which may challenge our Consideration ; because it was the Residence formerly ( though now transformed into a Farm-house ) of Gentlemen known by this Sirname , who might have been ranged and marshalled amongst the prime Gentlemen of this County , and bare for their Coat - Armour Sable , a Fesse engrailed Argent , between three Garbes , Or. One of them stood depicted in coloured Glasse in the Church windows , with his Arms upon his Tabard ; but by the Assaults of Age , and other wild and sacrilegious Impressions , is now utterly defaced and demolished ; nor is the Family in any better condition , that having many years since deserted the Possession of this Place ; for about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth it was conveyed to Johnson : from whom very lately , it is come over by Purchase to Stringer .

Rishford is a fourth Mannor circumscribed within the Bounds of Headcorne , which in the twentieth year of Edward the third , was possest by a Family called Pend , who ( as it appears by the Book of Aid ) paid a respective supply for it , at making the Black Prince Knight . And here is much Land in this Parish , which bears the Name of Pend , a probable Argument of the Antiquity of it in this Track : nor did it yeild to Time , or desert the Possession of this Place , but was constant in the Tenure of it , until that Age we call our Grand-fathers , and then it was alienated to a Family called Dominie , alias Fullaker ; the last of which Name at this Place was Christopher Dominie , alias Fullaker , who not many years since passed it away to Mr. John Hulks of Newenham , whose Son and Heir Mr. Stephen Hulks , does now possesse the Signory of it .

Herietsham in the Hundred of Eyhorne , was anciently a Limb of that Estate which was entituled to the Possession of the Noble Family of Crescy : Hugh de Crescy died seised of the Mannor , in the forty seventh year of King Henry the third , and his Grand-mother Margery was Daughter of William de Cheyney of Patricksbourne Cheyney , as appears Claus . 52. Henrici tertii Memb. 6. in Dorso . But he deceased without Issue , and so his Brother Stephen de Crescy became his Heir and Lord of Herietsham , and in this Family it continued until the latter end of Edward the second , and then the Possession of this Place went from Crescy into Northwood , as is manifest by the Book of Aid , where Roger de Northwood is represented to have held this Mannor , and have paid a proportionate Aid for it , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth of Edward the third , and he deceased seised of it in the thirty fifth year of that King's Raign . And in this Name it remained fixed until the Beginning of Henry the fifth , and then it was transplanted into the Interest of a Family called Adam , who had large Possessions in Essex , and bore for their Paternal Coat vert , a Plain Crosse , Or ; and John Adam held it at his Death , which was in the ninteenth year of Henry the sixth , and left it to his Son John Adam ; after whom I do not find any more of the Family possest of it : for in the Raign of Edward the fourth , I discover by some Court Rols that James Peckham of Yaldham Esquire , was Lord of the Fee ; and Reginald Peckham his Son , that was Sheriff of Kent , in the last year of Henry the seventh , kept his Shrivalty at Herietsham ; but after this , it was of no long continuance in this Family ; for in the fifteenth year of Henry the eighth , Reginald Peckham passes it away by Sale to Edward Scott Esquire , and he not long after transmits it by the same conveyance to John Hales one of the Barons of the Exchequer , and from him one Moiety of it went away by Sale , in the twenty eighth of Henry the eighth , to John Norton Esquire ; and the other not long after to Sir Anthony St. Leger . Norton conveyed his proportion to Ashburnham of Sussex ; and both St. Leger and Ashburnham , in the Time almost of our Fathers Remembrance , by a concurrent Sale demised their joint Right in it to Sir John Steed , whose Successor , Doctour ...... Steed , Doctour of the Civil Law , is the instant Proprietary of Herietsham .

East Farbon and Bentley , are two little Mannors in this Parish , which belonged to the Priory of Leeds ; and upon the suppression , were made parcel of the Revenue of the Crown , and remained there until King Edward the sixth , in the fourth year of his Raign , granted them to Sir Anthony St. Leger , whose great Grand-child Sir Warham St. Leger , about the Beginning of King James , passed them away to Mr. ........ Steed , Father to Doctour Steed ; who upon the Decease of his Nephew Cromer Steed without Issue Male , as Reversioner in Entail , is now settled in the Possession of these two Mannors .

West Farbon , sometimes in old Deeds , called little Herietsham , lies likewise in this Parish , and was granted in the two and fiftieth year of Henry the third , to William de Valentia , Earl of Pembrooke : But after him I track no more of the Family at this place ; For in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight , it was held by John Pennington ; and in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , when Blanch that Prince's Daughter was married , it acknowledged it self to be under the Signory of the above mentioned Family , and continued divers years after united to their Interest : But in the Raign of Henry the eighth , I find them quite vanished from the Possession , and a Family called Hede or Head , entituled to the Inheritance ; and in this Name did it make its abode , until the Raign of Edward the sixth , and then it was conveyed by Sale to St. Leger , where it rested until the Beginning of King James , and then it was alienated by Sir Warham St. Leger to Mr. Benedict Barneham , who left four Daughters and Co-heirs , matched to Audley , Constable , Doble , and Soame , who equally shared his Estate ; and this upon the distinguishing of it into just Proportions , augmented the Revenue of Constable .

Harbilton is another ancient Mannor in Herietsham ; It was , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , the Inheritance of Thomas de Malmains ; for at that Time , as appears by the Book of Aid , he paid a subsidiary supply for this and other Lands , at making the Black Prince Knight . After this Family was mouldred away , which was before the End of Richard the second , I find the Family of Maris was settled in the Inheritance . William Maris who was Esquire , first to Henry the fifth , and after to Cardinal Kempe , was Possessor of it , and so was his Son William Maris Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the one and twentieth year of Henry the sixth . After this Family , I find the Moils , about the latter end of the former Prince's Government , to have stept into the Inheritance ; the first of which was Walter Moile , who was Justice of the Peace for this County , in the Raign both of Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth , and left this , and a spatious Patrimony besides , to his Heir John Moile Esquire , whose Son Robert Moile , about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , alienated it to Geffrey St. Leger Esquire , from whom the Title for many years streamed into this Family , until in that Time , which fell under our Grand-fathers cognizance , it was passed away by Sale to Steed , Ancestor to Doctour Steed , who is the instant Possessor of it .

Marley and Hopme Mill , and in other Copies written Holme Hill , did with their Income support the Chaunter of the Canons of Pauls , to whose office they were annexed . A Place certainly in elder Times of important Account ; for in the Records of Christ-church , from whence Pitseus hath collected his Inventory of the English Writers , there is mention of one Joannes de Teneth , a Man as exemplary for his Piety , as he was eminent for his Learning , who was Chaunter to that Covent ; but this Office being entombed in the Ruines of those Canons of Paul , in the General suppression ; the Revenue which upheld it , was fixed in the Crown , until King Edward the sixth granted both these Places to Sir Edward Wotton , one of his Privy Councel , whose Grand-child Sir Thomas Wotton , was by King James invested with the Dignity and Title of Thomas Lord Wotton of Marley , and was by Thomas Lord Wotton his Son , settled in Marriage upon his Daughter Katherine Wotton with Henry Lord Stanhop , Son and Heir apparent to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild , and is at this instant in relation to the former settlement devolved in Abeyance to her Son , the Right Honorable Philip Stanhop , the present Earl of Chesterfeild .

Hern in the Hundred of Blengate , has nothing memorable in it but Haw-house , a Limb or portion of that wide Demeasne that the eminent Family of Apulderfield held in this Track ; and when this Name that had been deeply rooted in Antiquity , Hern had a Market procured to be held there weekly on the Monday : and a Fair yearly upon the Vigil , and Day of St. Martin , by the Archbishop of Cant. in the twenty fifth of Ed. the third as appears Cart. Num. 31. and had spread to a large extent , in the Latitude of it , was circumscribed in a Daughter and Heir called Eliz. matched with Sir Jo. Phineux : this Seat was made by Female Interest , an Addition to the Income of this Family , and here it remained undivided from it , till this Name determined in John Phineux Esqu ; issued from a younger Line of this Family , who left only one Daughter and Heir , married to Sir John Smith , Grandfather to Philip Viscount Strangford , who in relation to that Right this Match has invested in him , is now the instant Proprietary .

Seas or At Seas Court is likewise involved within the Sphere and Limits of this Parish : it was in Records anciently styl'd so , though now through Disuse it be languished into an Intermission , having lost its Name , and the Estimate of a Mannor likewise . For a Succession of some Ages , it owned the Name and Interest of At Sea , till Fate and Time , that are the common Sepulchre of Families , by Sale gave up the Fee-simple , an Age or two since , to Knowler , whose Heir does yet entitle himself by Right of his Predecessours purchase , to the Possession of it .

Hernehill in the Hundred of Boughton , has two Places in it , which may make it remarkable : First , Durgall Stroude , which was , in Times of higher Track , the Martin's a very noble and illustrious Family in this Territory , whose capital or principal Seat was at Graveney , not far distant : and here , after it had flourisht , by the Decursion of some Ages , it fell into a Daughter and Heir , called Margaret , Sole Daughter and Heir to Matthew Martin , who was married to William Norton of Cokesdish in Feversham , and in her Right did he become Proprietary of this Mannor , from whose Heir Thomas Norton , the Property or Fee-simple was by Sale transferred into the Possession of Sir John Wild of Canterbury , to whose Heirs General the Propriety of this Mannor does at present relate .

Secondly , there is another Seat in this Parish , vulgarly called Apes Court , alias Lockley ; but , indeed , in truer Orthography writ Epes-Court , a place so despicable , that it had not been worth the Memoriall , but that in all the circumstances of probability the Epes's of Canterbury assumed , if not Seat , yet at least Sirname from thence ; and it is the more possible , because the Epes's have been ancient Tenants to the Church of Canterbury , for the Mannor of Seas-alter , divided by a neer Distance from this place ; in Ages of a more modern Date , the Nevinsons were the Lords of the Fee , and certainly this was their ancient Mansion , before they were transplanted to Eastry ; this being sold in the Raign of King James by Sir Roger Nevinson to Sir John Wild of Canterbury , in whose Heirs General ( Dudley Wild Esquire , his only surviving Son being lately deceased without Issue ) the Possession continues fixed .

Hever in the Hundreds of Somerden and Ruxley , had in elder Times a Castle , See more of this Family at Northfleet . which was the Capital Seat or Mannor built by Thomas de Hever , who had liberty by the Charter of Edward the third , granted to him in the fourth of his Raign , not only to embattle his Mansion here , but likewise had Free-warren annexed to his Lands in this place . William Hever deceased without Issue Male , and left only two Daughters and Co-heirs ; Joane married to Reginald Cobham of Sterborough , and the other wedded to Brocas , whence in Records it is sometimes called Hever Cobham and Hever Brocas , and when the Cobhams went out , the Bullens were the immediate Purchasers ; for Geffrey Bullen purchased this Place , and his Grand-child Sir Thomas Bullen Knight of the Garter , and Earl of Wilts , lived here , who was Father to Anne Bullen , Wife to Henry the eighth ; and as he had here his Habitation , so likewise he has here his Sepulcher , and lieth emtombed in Hever-church ; but when his Son George Viscount Rochford , upon pretence of some black Crimes acted against the Majesty of Henry the eighth , fell under the Censure of High Treason ; this upon his Attainder or Conviction was escheated to the Crown , and began to be reputed a Mansion of some Estimate , when Anne of Cleve for some Time lived here , and made it her residence ; but , in Times subsequent to this , I find it eminent for nothing , till King James granted it to Sir Edward Waldgrave , whose Successor yet possesses it .

Heys in the Hundred of Rokesley , was formerly under the Jurisdiction of the Squirries , a Family under a signal Notion of Eminence in this part of the County , and was concluded some Ages within their Patrimony , till it was bounded by two Daughters and Co-heirs ; one of which called Dorothy , was married to Richard Mervin , the other styled Margaret , matched to Sir William Cromer , who in Right of their Father Thomas Squirrie , who held Heys in the eighteenth year of Henry the sixth , entituled themselves to vast Possessions in these parts ; but this Mannor upon the Division accrued to Mervin , and in his Posterity some years it found an abode , till by Sale the Interest was transmitted to Peche ; but Sir John Peche deceasing without any Issue Male , his only Daughter Elizabeth married to John Hart Esq ; extracted from the Harts of the County of Hertford , was found to be his Heir , and in Relation to that Mixture , or conjunction , does this Family yet continue Proprietaries of it .

Hinxhill in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge , was part of that Estate which belonged to the Family of Strabolgie , Earls of Atholl ; but whether or not it devolved to Alexander Balioll , Earl of Atholl by Isabell his Wife , one of the Co-heirs of Richard de Dover , Lord of Chilham , is altogether incertain ; because no Record that I ever yet saw , reaches beyond the above mentioned Alexander ; this mans Son was John Earl of Strabolgie and Athol , who having forfeited it in the Raign of Edward the first , whilst he endevoured to buoy up the Liberty of his Country of Scotland , which then seemed to be sunk in its own Ruines , being trampled upon by the succesful Attempts of that Prince , it for some years encreased the Royal Revenue , until David de Strabolgie , Earl of Atholl , the first that altered his Name from Balioll to Strabolgie , having expiated his Fathers Disservices , by being constant to the Party and Interest of Edward the second , against the Eruptions of the Nobility , which then bandied in Combinations against him , had this with much other Land , restored to him in the fifteenth year of that Prince ; from whom it descended to David de Strabolgie his Grand-child , who dying in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , left it to Philippa his Daughter and Co-heir matched to John Halsham of Sussex , by whom she had Issue Hugh Halsham , who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , passed it away to Sir Robert Scott , Lievtenant of the Tower of London 1424. And he concluding in Alice Scott , a Female Inheritrix , she by matching with William Kempe , Nephew of Cardinal Kempe , linked it to the Demeasne of that Family , and here it remained until Sir William Kempe , about the latter end of Henry the eighth , alienated it to Browning , from which Family , about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , it passed away by Sale to Mr. Robert Edolph , whose Grand-child Mr. Robert Edolph dying in the year 1632. without Issue , gave his Interest in it with Godchepes to his beloved Wife : Cicelie Edolph remarried to Sir Francis Knowls of Reading , and she passed away the Moiety of it ( the other proportion of it being invested in Mr. Thomas Edolph the third Brother ) with Godchepes , now called Goodchepes , to her Husbands second Brother , Mr. Samuel Edolph , who some few years since conveyed his Interest in Hinxhill with this by Testament to his Brother in Law Mr. John Angell of Croherst in Surrey , to discharge Debts and Legacies ; and he , that he might the more effectually perform the Contents of the Will , hath lately passed away the Moiety of Hinxhill with Goodchepes , to Edward Chowte of Surrenden Chowte in Bethersden Esquire , lately deceased .

W. liham is another Mannor in Hinxhill , which was folded up in the vast Demeasne of Crioll , by whose Daughter and Heir it came to Rokesley , and by the Female Inheritrix of Rokesley to Poynings : in which Name it continued until the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and then Sir Edward Poynings dying without any lawful Issue ; after a signal and solemne Inspection , by several Inquisitions into his collateral Alliance , no Claim being laid unto his Estate , this Mannor escheated to the Crown , in the fourteenth year of that Prince , and then King Henry the eighth , by Grant passed it away to Sir Richard Damsell , who not long after transmitted his Right in it to Goldhill , who in our Grand-fathers Memory alienated it to Mr. Robert Edolph , whose Grand-child Mr. Robert Edolph gave it with his Interest in Hinxhill and Goodchepes to his Wife Cicelie Edolph , who passed away the Moiety to Mr. Samuel Edolph , and he devised it by Will to Mr. Angell , who hath transferred his Right in it by Sale to Mr. Edward Chowte .

The Farm called Godchepes or Goodchepes , in this Parish ; for an unbroken Series of many Generations had Owners of that Sirname , as appears by an Inquisition taken after the Death of Thomas Godchepe , in the one and thirtieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 47. and remained fastned to their Inheritance , until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then by a strange and mysterious Fatality the Propriety of it was carried off , to Barrow . The Story is represented thus : John Barrow being an Atturney , was called to frame a Settlement by Deed of Thomas Godchepe , and by his Direction was desired to insert eight Persons into the Deed , who were successively to inherit his Estate , and being asked by this John Barrow , whether he should adde the Names of any more , he was answered ( because there had formerly been reciprocal Obligations of Friendship between them ) that he should place his own next after those eight above mentioned . It pleased the eternal Arbiter of humane Affairs , so to order the vicissitude of things that those eight Persons recited in the Deed , deceased without Issue ; so that his Estate here at Godchepe devolved to Barrow , as his Heir at Law , from whom by Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and Co-heir , it came to Mr. Robert Edolph .

Hoo gives Name to the Hundred wherein it is situated , and was a principal Branch of that Revenue , which fell under the Dominion of Bardolfe : Robert de Bardolfe held it under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee , as appears by the red Book kept in the Exchequer , in the Raign of Henry the second : and from him it came down to Hugh Bardolfe , who was rated for it after the same Account , in the second year of Richard the first ; but Hugh Lord Bardolfe his Son , not long after concluded in three Daughters and Co-heirs . Mawde was matched to Nicholas Points , Margaret was married to Robert Aguillon , and Isolda was espoused to Henry Lord Grey of Codnor , which divided the Inheritance of that Family at this Place . But that Proportion of it which was annexed by this Alliance to Points and Aguillon , was passed away by a Joint Sale to John de la Pole , and he paid respective supply for his Lands at Hoo , which were rated at half a Knights Fee , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third ; but before the latter end of Henry the fourth ; this Family was worn out , and that Estate they held here was by Purchase involved and swallowed up in the Inheritance of Grey , who before was entituled to the Moiety of this Mannor , as descending from Henry Lord Grey of Codnor and Isolda his Wife , Co-heir to Hugh Lord Bardolfe , and in this Family did it continue until Henry Lord Grey of Codnor , in the twenty second year of Henry the sixth , dying without Issue Male , left it to be Patrimony of Daughters and Co-heirs , one of which brought it to be the Inheritance of the Lord Zouch ; but in this Family it had not long remained , when John Lord Zouch having pursued the Interest of the House of Yorke , did exemplifie his Zeal to it , by his being embarked in the Cause and Quarrel of Richard the third , in that signal and fatal Encounter at Bosworth Feild , where the Title of the two Houses Yorke and Lancaster was put to the bloody Arbitration of the Sword ; for which , after the Crown and Scepter by that happy Contest devolved to Henry the seventh , he was in the first year of that Prince's Rule attainted , and his Estate here granted to Sir Henry Wiatt , one of the Privy Councell to the said Monarch , whose infortunate Grand-child Sir Thomas Wiatt , being likewise attainted in the second year of Queen Mary , it escheated , upon that Confiscation , to the Crown , and there was lodged until King James , about the third year of his Raign granted it to Robert Earl of Salisbury , whose Son Robert Earl of Salisbury sold it quarto Caroli to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet ; from whom it is now come down to his Grand-child , Sir Edward Hales Baronet , in whose Revenue , it , at this instant , is involved .

Beluncle is another Seat in this Parish , whose Antiquity pleads for a Remembrance : the first Family whom I find in Record to have been possest of it was Foliot . Jordan de Foliot held it in the Time of Henry the second , and Richard the first , by the fifth part of a Knights Fee ; and from him did it descend to Richard de Foliot , his Son and Heir , who in the twentieth year of Henry the third , passes it away by Fine to Reginald de Cobham , who was Sheriff of Kent , from the thirty third year of Henry the third , to the fortieth of that Prince , and was accounted one of the principal Seats which was couched in the Demeasne of this Family ; and , in divers old Pedigrees and other Deeds , they are written Cobham of Beluncle . Of this Family was Henry de Cobham , who was summoned to Parliament as Baron , in the seventh year of Edward the third : Stephen de Cobham , who was summoned in the eighteenth year of that Prince : And Thomas de Cobham , who was summoned as Baron , in the thirty eighth year of that Prince . And in Cobham , and then Brook , did it continue , until Henry Lord Cobham and his Brother George Brooke , in the first year of King James , being entangled in that cloudy Design of Sir Walter Rawleigh , which continues muffled up in a Mist until this Day , forfeited both their Estates , and the last his Life . But King James restored this to Henry Lord Cobham , who dying without Issue it devolved to Sir William Brooke Son of George Brooke , and he likewise deceasing without Issue-male , in the year 1643. it came over to Sir John Brooke , now Lord Cobham , as Reversioner in Entail .

Hollingbourne in the Hundred of Eyhorne , was given to the Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury , for to supply them with Diet , by Athelstan Son of Ethelred , which Mannor he had before purchased of his Father ; and in the year 909. with his Licence and Consent bestowed it on that Covent , free as Adisham . If you will discover how it was rated in the Conquerors Time , Doomesday Book thus represents it to you , Hollingbourne ( saies that ) est Mancrium Monachorum , & de Cibo corum & in Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VI. Sullings , & nunc similiter . Et est appretiatum inter totum hoc Maneriam XXX lb. This being thus fixed , remained from the Original Donation , locked up in the Ecclesiastical Patrimony , until the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was surrendred into that King's Hands by the Prior and Monks of the Covent aforesaid , and he that year exchanged it with Thomas Cranmer Arch-bishop of Canterbury .

There was the Gallows which appertained to the Priory of Christ-church here erected at Hollingbourne , where those who had committed Murders , Felonies , or other Trespasses worthy of death , within the liberties of that Covent , were according to their priviledge of Infangtheof and Outfangtheof , brought to exemplary punishment : See Somner Fol. 286.

There is a Mannor in this Parish called Ripple , which had Owners of that Name ; for in the thirtieth of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 91. I find that Richard de Ripple held this , and other Lands , which he had in Lease from the Priory of Christ-church at his Decease , but it only gave him Sirname , and then left his Family ; for before the latter end of Edward the third , it went from this Name to Sir William Septuans , and he enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the forty third year of Edward the third ; and transmitted it to his Son William Septuans , who not long after conveyed it to John Gower , in which Name it lay couched until the Raign of Henry the fourth ; and then it was alienated to Brockhull , a Cadet of that Stock which flourished so long at Calehill , and here it continued for many Descents in this Family , until the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth : and then Henry Brockhull dying without Issue-male , Anne his only Daughter and Heir brought it to be the Inheritance of Sir John Taylor , in which Family after it had lodged only until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , it was passed away to Sir Martin Barnham .

Elnothington is another Mannor in this Parish , which had Owners likewise of that Sirname ; for in a Deed of Adam de Twisdens , which bears Date from the one and twentieth of Edward the first , one William de Elnothington is Witness : But after this man , I find no more mention in any Record of the Name : In the Raign of Edward the third , I discover Sir Arnold St. Leger of Ulcombe to be possest of it , and in the forty second year he makes a Composition with divers of his Tenants for Lands that they held of this Mannor , and from him like an uninterrupted Thread , did the Title of this place passe thorough many Descents of this Family , until at last it devolved to Sir Anthony St. Leger , who almost in our Memory alienated it to Sir Thomas Colepeper .

Pen-Court is another Seat in Hollingbourne worthy our Notice . It was in elder Times the Patrimony of a Family called Pen ; but whether the Pens of Codcot in the County of Bedford , were descended from them or not , is uncertain ; in Brief , before the end of Edward the third , this Family was worn out , and then the Donets succeeded , but held this Seat not long : for by the Heir Generall it devolved with much other Land to St. Leger of Ulcombe , and here it rested untill allmost our Remembrance : and then it was passed away to Sir Thomas Colepeper ; and he again conveyed it to Mr. Mark Questwood of London , who , upon his Decease , settled it for ever on the Company of Fishmongers in London .

Muston is likewise within the Verge of this Parish : upon perusall of the ancient Deeds and Court-rols , I found it to be written Moston , as giving Name , in the Raign of Edward the first , to a Family of that Appellation , which about the Beginning of Richard the second , was wholly crumbled away , and had surrendred the Possession to Wood , in which Family the Inheritance hath ever since been permanent .

Greenway-court , is the last place considerable in this Parish ; It was as high as the Conduct of any Evidence can guide me to discover , parcell of the Patrimony of Atleeze , and Sir Richard Atleeze , dying without Issue , in the year 1394 , gave it to his Brother Marcellus Atleeze , by whose Daughter and Coheir , it came to be possest by Valentine Barret of Pery-Court ; and he , about the Beginning of Henry the fourth , conveyed it to Fitz Water , in which Family it remained , untill the Raign of Edward the fourth ; and then it was alienated to St. Leger , with whose Inheritance it continued , untill almost our Age ; and then it was by Sale transplanted into Sir Alexander Colepeper , who upon his Decease , gave it to Sir John Colepeper of Losenham .

Hope in the Hundreds of Langport and St. Martins , hath nothing memorable in it but Crawthorn , which for those worthy persons , who have successively held it , calls for some Memorial ; for first , the Cheyneys were ( as appears by ancient Evidences ) Lords of the Fee : and when they went out , the Henleys about the latter end of Hen. the eighth , were the next eminent Possessors of it : and in the Descendants of this Family , did the propriety reside , untill the beginning of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was alienated to Thomas Lord Borough of Sterborough , who not long after conveyed it to Tooke , of Bere in Westcliffe , from whom it came over to Mr. Charles Took of Bere , and he hath lately , by the Vicissitude of Sale , transplanted his Concernment in it , to his Nephew Mr. Edward Chowte , who being lately deceased without Issue-male , hath setled it on his only Brother Mr. George Chowte .

Higham in the Hundred of Shamell , had anciently a Nunnery : but the original Chartularies , and other Records being lost , the Founder is unknown . King Hen. the third , by a Charter of Inspection , as appears Carta 11. parte secunda , Memb. septima , reviews the Liberties of this Cloister , and confirms them , and adds this Franchise or Immunity to the former , that this Parish lying couched in their Demeasn , should hold a Fair on Michaelmas Day , and two days after . This Mannor , upon the Suppression , was by the Bounty of King Henry the eighth enstated for ever on St. Johns Colledge , in Cambridge , and there at present it continues .

The places of most eminence , which were of secular Interest , are Great and Little Okeley , which both were formerly united , though since dissever'd and pluck'd asunder by Sale . In the twentieth of Ed. the third , I find them wrapt up in the Possessions of John de St. Clere , who held them by the fourth part of a Knights Fee , of the Honor of Montchensey , that is of Swanscamp-Castle , from whose Descendant , about the latter end of Edward the fourth , they were both passed away to Neile of London , who about the latter end of Henry the seventh , conveyed Great Okeley to John Sydley Esquire , Ancestor to Sir Charles Sydley Baronet , the instant Inheritor of it . But little Okeley by the same Transmission was transferred to Colemeley or Cholmeley , who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , resigned up his Interest by Sale to Thompson , from whom the ordinary Vicissitude of purchase not long since conducted the Title down to Best .

Merston was formerly an independent Parish of it self , though since annexed to Higham , and had a Church dedicated to St. Giles , whose Ruines , in despight of the Impressions of Age , yet represent themselves to the smallest Glance of a curious Eye . It was , before it fell into this Darkness and Obscurity , made something illustrious by being the Inheritance of John de St. Clere : and when this Family found its Tomb , the Name of Smith Stept in , and rose upon its Ruines . And when this was expired at this place , which was about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , Jordan put in his Claim to the Possession of it ; but about the latter end of the abovesaid Prince , I find this Family extinguished , because the propriety of this Mannor was by one of the above mentioned Names conveyed to Anthony Tutsham , who not long after alienated the premises to George Brooke Lord Cobham ; from whom , by descendant Right , the Interest of it is devolved to Sir John Brooke , restored to the Barony of Cobham by the late King at Oxford , who now possesses this place as Reversioner in Entail to Sir William Brooke , who dyed without Issue-male in the year 1643.

Horsmonden in the Hundreds of Brenchley , Horsmonden , and Larkefeild , was folded up in the Patrimony of Rokesley , a Family of a large Revenne , and as wide a Repute in this Track , from whom it descended to Richard de Rokesley , by whose Inheritrix it was linked to the Patrimony of Thomas de Poynings , from whom by the steps of divers Descents it went down to Sir Edward Poynings , who deceasing without any lawfull Issue , in the twelfth of Henry the eighth : and there being not any that could by a pretence of collateral Alliance entitle themselves to his Estate , the Crown made it its own Interest by Escheat , and then the above said Prince , in the thirty sixth of his Raign , granted it to Richard Darell : and his Son George Darill , in the tenth of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it to Richard Paine , who not long after alienated it to Beswick , Ancestor to Mrs. Mary Beswick , who dying without Issue , hath settled it by Testament for life on Mr. ...... Haughton .

Groveherst with its relative Appendages , Capell , Augustpits , Hoath , and Sneade , were lately passed away by Mr. Whetenhall of great Peckham to Mr. Francis Austin , whose Ancestor William Whetenhall Esquire , had them annexed to his Demeasne by matching with Margaret Sole Heir of William Hextall , who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , had purchased the four last places of Capell , Cheseman , Hoath , and Sneade , Families who had been entituled to the propriety of them many Descents before : But Groveherst was linked to the Demeasne of Kichard Hextall , Father of William above mentioned , by matching about the latter end of Richard the second , with Anne one of the three Co-heirs of Richard Groveherst , whose Ancestors had been possest of it many hundred years before .

Lewis Hoath was in Times of elder Track , the Demeasne of John de Groveherst , who lies buried in Horsmenden Church , and was a Priest in Orders , and dying so , bequeathed this Mannor by Testament to the Abby of Begham , upon whose suppression , by the importunate Desire of Cardinal Wolsey , it being found incorporated with the Demeasne of the above said Monastery , it became parcel of the Revenue of the Crown , and remained there , until Queen Elizabeth by Royal Concession passed it away to Anthony Brown Viscount Montague : but by a sudden Revolution , it was by Sale transmitted to Beswick , whose Heir Generall Mrs. Mary Beswick , hath lately by Will , settled it on Mr. ....... Haughton .

Sprivers is likewise under the Repute of a Mannor ; and had in elder Times , Owners of that Sirname : for I find that Rob. Spriver , dyed possest of it , in the year 1447 , and by his Will , gives it to his Son Robert Spriver : and certainly from this Seat , the Sprivers which are scattered into some places of Kent , though now under the Eclipse of an obscure Character , branched out originally . In Times of a more modern Aspect , the Vanes were the Proprietaries of it ; and when this Name began to fade away , the Bathursts were the next successive Possessors , in whom the Title was not many years settled , but that by the same transitory Devolution , it was put over to Malbert , from whom by as quick and as sudden a Mutation , it was incorporated into the Interest of Murgan .

Spelmonden celebrates the Memory of a Family which bore that Sirname ; Bidmonden in Horsmonden , was a Cell but not conventuall , belonging to the Priory of Beaulieu in Norman ; and being rent off , by Henry the fifth , it was settled on the Priory of St. Andrew in Rochester , and after by H. the eigth , on the Dean and Chapter of that City . for in the Deeds and Evidences which concern this Seat , there is a frequent recital of John de Spelmonden , who was Possessor of this Place . After this Family had deserted the Inheritance of it , the noble and eminent Family of Poynings , was planted by Purchase , in the possession of it . Michael Poynings enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the forty third year of Edward the third . Rot. Esc . Num. 14. parte secunda , and from him , did the Title glide along in the Interest of this Name , untill it came down to Sir Edw. Poynings ; and he , in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth , alienated his Concernment in it to John Sampson , and he had Issue Christopher Sampson : who in the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth , passed it away to Stephen Darrell ; and his Son George Darrell , in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth , sold it to Richard Payne of Twyford in Middlesex ; and he in the twenty eighth year of the above-said Princesse , translated his Right in it by Sale into William Nutbrown ; and he in the twenty ninth year of the same Queens Reign , conveyed it to George Cure of Surrey Esquire : from whom , immediately after , it went away by Sale to Arthur Langworth ; and from him by as quick a Vicissitude to William Beswick Esquire , Son to ....... Beswick , Lord Maior of London , in the year of our Lord ........ and his Grandchild Mrs Mary Beswick , dying not long since without Issue , shee , by Testament , gave it in Lease to Mr. ...... Haughton , now of Chelsey in Middlesex , originally extracted from the ancient Family of Haughton , of Haughton Tower in the County of Lancaster .

Horton in the Hundred of Stowting , was a Mannor which belonged to that Priory , which was founded here by Robert de Vere , Earl of Oxford , Lord great Chamberlain of England , and dedicated to the Honour of St. John Baptist , it being a Cell to the Priory of Lewes , and stored with black Monks of the Cluniac Order . Adelina Daughter of Hugh de Montfort , was a principall Benefactresse to this House , and so were the Honywoods of Henewood in Saltwood not far distant . The first remembred in the Register , is Edmund de Honywood , who flourisht in the Raign of Henry the third . Upon the Generall surrender of the Estate of Abbyes , into the Hands of Henry the eighth , this by that Prince , in the twenty ninth year of his Reign , was granted to Thomas Lord Cromwell Earl of Essex ; but he being infortunately attainted in the thirty first year of the abovesaid Prince ; this Mannor returned to the Crown , and was resident there , untill King Charles passed it away by Grant , in the fourth year of his Raign to the City of London , and they 1630 , conveyed it to George Rook Esquire , Father to Mr. Lawrence Rook , who enjoys the instant Signory of it : but the Abby-house was by Henry the eighth , upon the fatall Execution , of the above-mentioned Lord , granted to John Tate of the County of North-hampton Esquire ; and he in the sixth year of Edward the sixth , sold it to Walter Mantle Esq ; who being infortunately involved in the Design of the noble but unhappy Sir Thomas Wiatt , in the second year of Queen Mary , forfeited this to the Crown , where , after it had for some interval of Time been lodged , it was in the thirteenth year of Queen Elizabeth , restored to the above-said Walter Mantle , and from him , did it come down to his Successor Mr. Walter Mantle , who was the present Possessor of it 1657.

Sherford , aliàs East-Horton , is another Mannor in this Parish ; it was a Branch of that Demeasne , which fell under the Jurisdiction of Retling . Sir Richard de Retling was found in the enjoyment of it at his death , which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 12. and left it to Joane his Sole Daughter and Heir , who brought it , by espousing John Spicer , to be parcel of his Inheritance : and he died invested in the Possession of it , in the tenth year of Richard the second , and from him it devolved to his second Son John Spicer , who assigned it as Dower to his Wife Joane , and she was found to hold it in Possession at her Death , which was in the fifth year of Henry the fifth , Rot. Esc . Num. 9. and in this Family did it reside , until that Age which bordered upon our Fathers Remembrance ; and then it was passed away by Spicer to Morris , in which Family the Propriety is still Resident .

Horton in the Hundred of Acstane , was held by An. Retellus Rubitoniensis or Rosse , in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror , as Doomesday Book instructs me . Alexander Rosse , another of this Family , and Lord of this Mannor , was one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae , an Office of Eminence , and no lesse Concernment . In the first yeare of the Raign of King John , William de Rosse held a Knights Fee in Horton and Lullingston , and left it to his Sole Inheritrix , Lora de Rosse , who about the latter end of Edward the first , brought it to be the Possession of her Husband ...... Kirkbie , who by this Match , being entituled to this place removed out of Lancashire , where was his antient Mansion at Kirkbie Hall , and seated himself at Horton , where he re-edified the Castle , which as Darell relates , in his Tract de Castellis Cantii , did acknowledge the Rosses for its Founders , and built the Mannor House , upon which he engrafted his own Name , from whence it hath ever since acquired the Attribute of Horton-Kirkbie . But it was not long united to this Name ; for about the Beginning of Henry the fourth , this Family was extinguished in a Female Inheritrix , who was matched to Thomas Stoner of Stoner in Oxfordshire , Father and Mother of Sir Thomas Stoner , who was Father to Sir William Stoner , who by Anne Daughter and Heir of John Nevill Marquesse Montacute , had Issue John Stoner , who died Issue-lesse , and had forfeited Horton Castle to Henry the seventh , by confederating with the Lord Audley , in his Insurrection against that Prince : and Anne a Daughter matched to Sir Adrian Fortescue , by whom he had the Mannor of Kirkbie Court , and by her only a Female Inheritrix , called Margery Fortescue , matched to Thomas Lord Wentworth , Ancestor to Thomas Lord Wentworth of Nettlested , created Earl of Cleveland , in the first year of King Charles ; but Kirkbie was passed away by Sir Adrian Fortescue to Sir James Walsingham , in the Beginning of Henry the eighth , whose Grandchild , Sir Thomas Walsingham , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to Alderman Hacket of London , in whose Posterity the Propriety of it resides at this Day ; but Horton Castle continued in the Crown , until King Henry the eighth granted it to Robert Rudston Esquire ; by the Heir General of which Family it is at this instant become the Inheritance of Mr. ...... Michell of Richmond .

Franks is an eminent Seat in this Parish , which was the Mansion of Gentlemen of that Sirname , who about the latter end of Henry the third , came out of Yorkeshire , and planted themselves at this place , and writ their Sirnames in very old Deeds , and other old Evidences Frankish , and bore for their Coat-Armour , as appears by Seals A Salteir engrailed ........ After Franke , John Martin , about the Beginning of of Henry the sixth by purchase , became invested in the Possession , and he upon his Decease , which was in the year 1436. bequeathed it to a yonger Son , who bore his Name , and was called John Martin , from whom , by paternal Succession , it came down to his Grand-child Edward Martin , who about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to Lancelot Bathurst , Alderman of London ; who erected that elegant and magnificent Fabrick , which is now the possession of my noble Friend , his Grand-child , Sir Edward Bathurst .

Reynolds is a third place of considerable importance ; it was the Seat of Gentlemen of that Denomination , and were rooted by a Prescription of so many years in the Possession of this Place , that it is a Controversie , whether those at Belso in Essex , or these here , were of the most venerable Antiquity ; one of them in one of his Deeds writes , Rogerus Filius Reginaldi . It is not bounded with any Date , and from this Orthography which was Customary in those Times , the Name of Reynolds , or Fitz Reynolds , did by vulgar Acceptation and Use , first borrow its Original , But to advance in my Discourse . After this Seat had for sundry Descents been constant to this Name and Family ; it was , about the latter end of Edward the fourth , transmitted by Sale to Sir John Browne , Lord Mayor of London , in the year 1480. from whom it came down by paternal Descent to his Son and Heir , William Brown Esquire , who assigned it for subsistance to his second Son , John Browne Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent , the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth , and held his Shrievalty at this place ; and in this Name did the Title dwell , until not many years since it was dislodged , and by Sale transplanted into Sir John Jacob ; from whom the like Fatality hath lately transported it , and cast it into the Inheritance of Sir Harbottle Grimston of Essex , Baronet .

Horton upon Stoure , near Canterbury , lies in the Hundred of Bridge and Petham , and was involved in that spacious Inheritance , which acknowledged the Signiory of the Lord Badelesmere . Bartholomew Lord Badelesmere , Steward of the Houshold to Edward the second , in the second year of that Prince , gave it in Franke-marriage with his Daughter Joane Badelesmere to John de Northwood ; and that this was Customary in that Age , wherein the Times were dry for any pecuniary Supply , is most certain ; for John de Northwood , this mans great Grand-child , in the eighth year of Richard the second , gave it in Franke-marriage with his Daughter to Christopher Shukborough of the County of Warwick Esquire , and he in the ninth year of Henry the fourth , alienated it to Gregory Ballard Esquire , whose Posterity for many years did successively possesse it , until Nicolas Ballard , in the fourth year of Philip and Mary , passed it away by Sale to Roger Trollop Esquire ; and he in the second year of Queen Elizabeth , by Bargain and Sale demised his Interest in it to Sir Edward Warner , then Lievtenant of the Tower , and he in the sixteenth year of the Government of that Princess , conveyed it to Sir Roger Manwood , Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer , whose Son Sir Peter Manwood , almost in our Fathers Memory , disposed of his Right in it by Sale to Mr. Christopher Tolderbye , who left it to his Son Mr. Christopher Tolderbye , and , he deceasing without Issue , Jane his only Sister and Heir , by matching with Sir Robert Darell of Cale-hill ( a man eminent both by his Integrity and Hospitality , according to the accustomed Genius , which alwaies waited on this Family ) brought it to be possest by that Name ; upon whose Decease it devolved to his second Son Mr. Edward Darell , who is the present Lord of the Fee .

There was an eager Contest between John Beckford Vicar of Chartham , and Christopher Shukborough Esquire , Lord of Horton , touching the celebration of Divine Offices in the Chappel at Horton ; as likewise the Administration of the Sacraments : and it was improved to that Animosity , that there was a mutual Appeal made to William Courtney , then Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who directed a Commission to John Barnett his Official , in the year 1380. to hear and determine the Controversie , and upon a serious sifting and winnowing this whole Affair , the Debate was wound up upon this Conclusion , that there should be a solemnization of all Divine Offices in the above mentioned Chappel , exceptis tantum D. functorum Sepulturis & exsequiis , only the Dead were to receive their enterment in the Church of Chartham .

Hothfeild in the Hundreds of Chart , Longbridge , and Cale-hill , was wrapt up in the Demeasne of the Lord Badelesmer , who held it in Grand Serjeanty of the Archbishop of Canterbury ; that is , he was to serve up water to the Arch-bishop at his Installment or Inthronization to wash his Hands , and had Pelvim & Lotorium ; so are the Words of the Record : he was rewarded with the Vessel which contained the Water , and likewise the Towel which dried his Hands , and he was likewise to be his Chamberlin the Night of his Instalment , and was recompensed with the Arch-bishops Bed , as his Guerdon . Bartholomew de Badelesmere Son of Guncelin , died possest of it , in the fifth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 5. And left it to his infortunate Heir Bartholomew Lord Badelesmere , who by his mutinous Association with the Rebellious Nobility , having in the sixteenth year of Edward the second , forfeited this to the Crown ; it lay entwined with the Royal Revenue , until Edward the third , in the second year of his Raign , restored it to his Son Bartholomew de Badelesmere , who in the twelfth year of that Prince's Government , dying without Issue , his four Sisters became his Co-heirs , whereof Margaret married to the Lord William Rosse of Hamlake , cast this Mannor into the Inheritance of that Family , and he in her Right died seised of it , in the seventeenth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 60. And from him , did the Title by a lineal transmission , passe down to Thomas Lord Rosse , who vigorously endevouring to support the sinking Title of the House of Lancaster , was by John Nevill Marquesse Montacute , discomfited in the North , and taken Prisoner , and after beheaded at Newcastle , upon whose Dysastrous Tragedy , this Mannor was laid hold on by the Crown , as an Escheat : and King Edward the fourth , in the fourth year of his Government , granted it to Sir John Fogge of Repton for Life only , who was Treasurer of his Houshold , and one of his Privie-Councel ; and whom King Richard the third , invited afterward out of the Abbey of West-minster , where he had taken Sanctuary for fear of some Mischief , intended him by that Usurper ; and in the presence of a numerous Assembly , gave him his Hand , and bad him be confident , that he was thenceforth sure unto him in Affection . This I mention , the rather , because divers of our Chronicles , have erroneously mentioned , that he was an Attorney , whom this Prince pardoned for Forgery . But to proceed : After the Decease of Sir John Fogge , who dyed in the seventeenth year of Henry the seventh , it returned to the Crown , and lay there untill Henry the eighth , granted it to John Tufton Esquire , Ancestor to the right honorable John Earl of Thanet , who now by paternal Right , claims the Possession of it .

Swinfort is a Mannor in Hothfield , which afforded a Sirname to a Family so called : but whether Sir Otho Swinfort , Husband to Katharine Swinfort , who was afterwards Concubine to John of Gaunt , was extracted from this Family or not , is incertain ; because I cannot discover they were ever of any Eminence . In Henry the fifths Reign , I find it in the Possession of Bridges , descended from John at Bregg , one of those eminent persons , that are depicted kneeling in Coat Armour , in a Window in Great Chart Church . And there is a place in that Parish , which still bears the Name of this Family , and is called Bridge , being divorced by no great distance from this Mannor : and in this Family did the Propriety of this place continue , untill the latter end of King James ; and then it passed away by Sale from Bridges , to Sir Nicholas Tufton Father to the right honourable John Earl of Thanet , the instant Owner of it .

Faulesley , vulgarly now called Fausley and Fousley , was the Patrimony of a Family , which borrowed not only its Source and Extraction , but its Denomination likewise from hence . Sir John Faulesley , was an eminent person , in the Raign of Richard the second , being frequently in his Time , as appears by the late printed Abridgement of the Records in the Tower , summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron : but although this Family was made eminent by this worthy person , who was an elder Branch of this Stem ; yet in succeeding Generations it began to crumble away , into Obscurity and Decay : and was at last ground to so narrow a proportion of Estate , that about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , this Mannor , which had so long been espoused to the Interest of this Name and Family , was carried off by Sale to Drury ; in which Family it was resident , untill the latter end of that Princesse , and then it was alienated to Paris ; who immediately after conveyed it to Bull ; and he transplanted his Right by Sale again into the same Family ; from whom , a like Vicissitude brought it to be the Inheritance of Sir Nicholas Tufton , Father to the right honorable John Earl of Thanet now Possessor of it .

At Hothfield , in a field not far removed from Ripley , a Mannor belonging to Alexander Iden Esquire , was Jack Cade that Counterfeit Mortimer ( who was mufled up , in that Name , by the House of York , only to fathom the depth of the people's Affection to their Title , which was to take its Rise from that person ) encountered , and in a single Combat , offered up to the Justice of Henry the sixth , by the abovesaid Alexander Iden , who was not only by that Prince , recompensed with a considerable Reward , for so important a piece of Service , but likewise invested with the Honour of Knighthood , the present Age wherein he lived , admired him ; nor shall there be any History for the future , which shall not Record him . From the Heir Generall of this Family , is Mr. George Brown Esquire , lately of Spelmonden in Kent , and now of Buckland in Surrey , by his Grand-mother originally descended .

Hougham in the Hundreds of Bew borough and Folkstone gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of as reverend an Estimate for Antiquity , as any in this Track . Robert de Hougham , dyed seised of it , in the forty first year of Henry the third , and left it to his Son * * This Robert de Hougham was with Edw. the first , at the Seige of Acon in Palestine . Robert de Hougham , who was Castellan of Rochester Castle , in the Reign of Edward the first , and dyed seised in the possession of this , and the Custody of that , in the second year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 14. But in the next Descent , this Family was entombed in two Daughters and Coheirs , one was married to John de Shelving , and the other to Waretius de Valoigns , who in her Right entered upon the Inheritance , and in the fourteenth year of Edward the third , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Hougham , but enjoyed neither his new acquired Priviledge or Inheritance long ; for before the latter end of Edward the third , he dyed , and left a large Inheritance to be shared by his two Daughters and Coheirs , one whereof was wedded to Sir Thomas Fogge of Toniford , and the other to Thomas de Aldon , to whose Revenue upon the Partition , this was annexed , and he was found in the enjoyment of it at his Death , which was in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 10. Parte prima . But here the Possession likewise , before the end of Henry the fourth , was as volatile , and full of Vicissitude ; for by the Female Inheritrix of this Family , it came to be the Demeasne of Heron : who , after he had some years owned the propriety of it , alienated the Fee-simple to Phineux , in which Name and Stem , when it had for many Descents , in a constant procedure , flourished ; and had been productive of persons , of the highest Office and Trust , as they could be invested with , in Relation to the Service of this County , it was not many years since , passed away from this Family , and sold to Master Neview of Dover .

Little Hougham , is a second Mannor in this Parish : It was , in Ages of a very high Ascent , the Revenue of the ancient Family of Basing . William de Basing , held it at his Death , which was in the ninth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 21. From whom it desceuded to his Grandchild John Basing , who dyed in the Tenure of it , in the seventh year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 6. After whose Decease , it continued in the Name , untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was alienated to Clive , vulgarly called Cliffe , a Family of eminent Account , in the Counties of Salop and Essex ; and in the Possession of this Family it dwelt , untill the latter end of that Prince , and then by Purchase , it was made the Patrimony of Hextall , a Eamily who extracted their original , out of Staffordshire ; and here it resided , untill the latter end of Edward the fourth , and then it was transmitted by a Daughter and Heir to Whetenhall ; who sold it to John Bois Esquire , Ancestor to Jo. Bois of Fredville Esquire , who is entituled to the present Signiory of it .

Maxton is a third place , which must not be waved in this Discourse : It was in elder Times divided between two Families called Madekin , and Walsham . Stephen de Madekin , was not only Lord of Madekin in Denton , and the Moiety of this place , in the year one thousand seventy and seven , but likewise Land at Canterbury , as appears by Mr. Sompner , in his Survey of that City , page 415. And Will . de Walsham , who in the thirty seventh year , was possest of the other Moiety of this place gave , about that year by Charter , some land to the Incumbent or Parson of St. Nicholas of Harbledown . After these two Families had deserted the Inheritance , I find the Archers , about the Beginning of Edward the third , to be entituled by Purchase to it , and William le Archer ( so he is written in the Book of Aid ) paid an Auxiliary Supply for this Mannor , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight ; but his Son William Archer , in the twenty first year of Richard the second , passes away his Right by Sale to John Alkham of Alkham , a Family that had taken deep Root in Antiquity downwards , and had a spreading Revenue upwards in this Track ; but , before the end of Henry the seventh , were consumed and crumbled away , and then the next Family which succeeded in the Possession was Herman , who was likewise owner of Mary-place in Crayford , and in this Name did the Interest of it fix , until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth and then it was alienated to Andrews , who some few years after demised the Fee-simple to Pepper , and he almost in the Verge of our Remembrance sold it to Sir Thomas Wilford of Ilden , and he in our Memory alienated it to Richards of Dover .

Although the greatest part of this Mannor was of secular Concernment , yet I find that the Prior of St. Martins in Dover had some Interest in it , as appears by an Inquisition taken after the Death of John Atte-hall , where it is proved in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Numb. 129. Parte secunda , that he held Lands at his Death at Maxton of that Covent .

Siberston is the last place of Account in Hougham ; it gave Name in elder Times to a Family so styled ; for in an old Deed without Date , in the Hands of Mr. Whittingham-Wood of Canterbury , lately deceased , I find Richard de Siberston demises it to John Monins , and in another Deed I discover that John Monins Son of John Monins , passes the third Part of his Mannor of Siberston to John Monins the elder , in the thirty ninth year of Edward the third . And this I think is Authority sufficient to evidence to the Publique , that it was a parcel of that Estate that owned the Interest and Signory of that eminent Family , in which it lay couched until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was by Sale transplanted into Pepper , whose Successor in our Fathers Remembrance conveyed it to Moulton of Retherhed , vulgarly called Redriff in Surrey , in whose Descendants the Inheritance of it does still continue .

Hunton in the Hundred of Twiford , celebrates the Memory of an ancient Family , called Lenham , who were once Proprietaries of it . Nicolas de Lenham obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannour of Hunton , in the forty first year of Henry the third ; but about the Beginning of Edward the third , the Interest of it was departed from this Family , for William de Lenham determined in Eleanor de Lenham , his sole Inheritrix , and she by matching with John Gifford , wrapt up this and Bensted , another little Mannor in this Parish , which likewise was parcel of Lenhams Estate , in the Demeasne of that Family ; and he and his Wife paid Releif for Hunton and Bensted , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight . But after this , it was not long permanent in this Family ; for about the Beginning of Richard the second , it was passed away with Bensted to John Lord Clinton , who in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third , was found Heir to his Cozen William Clinton , Earl of Huntington ; for that Land which he held Jure proprio & nativo , not Jure uxoris Julianae de Leybourne in this County . And the Effigies of this John , and of his Grand child ...... Lord Clinton ( who paid Relief , in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , for his Mannor of Hunton , at the Marriage of Blanch that Prince's Daughter ) have escaped the furious Barbarity of these Times , and stand yet undemolished in the Church-Windows : and from this last did it descend to John Lord Clinton his Successor , who about the Beginning of Henry the seventh alienated the Fee-simple to Sir Henry Wiatt , one of the Privy Councel to the said Monarch , and his Son Sir Thomas Wiatt the elder died seised of it , in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth , and transmitted it with Bensted , which his Grand-father likewise bought of the Lord Clinton , to his infortunate Son Sir Thomas Wiatt , who adhering too strictly to an unhappy Clause in the Testament of Henry the eighth , which obliges his Councel not to suffer his Daughters to espouse any Forrainer , involved him in that dysastrous Design , which could not be expiated , but by the Forfeiture of his Life and Estate , in which this Mannor of Hunton being concerned ; it was in the second year of Queen Mary granted to her Atturney General , Sir John Baker of Sisinghurst , from whom the Title in the Stream of Succession , lately glided down to his Heir General Sir John Baker Baronet , Son and Heir to Sir John Baker Baronet , not many years since deceased .

Burston is another Mannor in Hunton , which is eminent for being the Seat of John de Burston , which the Dateless Deeds that relate to this Family , from the probable Conjecture of the Hand-writing , which is calculated for the Raign of Henry the third , record to have lived in that Prince's Time , and there was Land likewise about Wye and Crundall , that acknowledged the Jurisdiction of this Family ; for in the forty fifth year of Henry the third , Waretius de Valoigns Knight , makes a Release of his Title to some Lands in those Parishes to John de Burston , and in this Family did this Seat remain for many Descents , and was productive of men of no despicable Account in this Track : amongst whom William Burston was returned , in the twenty ninth year of Henry the sixth , by Gervas Clifton then Sheriff , inter illos qui portabant Arma Antiqua . In the Raign of Henry the eighth , Alderman Head of London was resident here , and added much both of Building and Magnificence to this Fabrick ; but certainly it was only as Lessee ; for I cannot find that he was ever Proprietary of it , for about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , it was sold by Burston to Sir Thomas Vane , who upon his Decease gave it to his second Son ...... Vane , from whom it descended to his Heir Sir George Vane , whose Widdow Dowager the Lady ...... Vane is now in Possession of it .

Hunton had the Grant of a Market procured to it by Nicolas de Lenham , on the Tuesday , and a yearly Fair to continue five Dayes , the Vigil , the Day of the Assumption of our Lady , and three Dayes after , Pat. 41. Henrici tertii Memb. 7.

Hucking in the Hundred of Eyhorne , is involved in the Mannor of Hollingbourne , and was enstated on the Prior and Convent of Christ-church , when that by a munificent Donation , augmented the Revenue of that Priory .

Yet there is an ancient Seat in this Parish , called Rumpsted , which never was couched in the Spiritual Patrimony ; for it had anciently Owners of that Appellation . Sir William de Rumpsted held this , and a Castellated Mansion in Sevenoke , of that Denomination , in the Raign of Edward the first , and he had Issue Sir John Rumpsted , possest of this place and Rumpsted in Sevenoke , and , as the Tradition asserts , educated Sir William Sevenoke , Lord Mayor of London , in the year of Grace 1418. In Ages of a nearer Descent to us , that is , in the third year of Henry the sixth , I find Richard Peverell to have enjoyed it . And in Times subsequent to these , the Peckhams ; but their Possession was very frail , for in the Raign of Queen Elizabeth , I find it to be in Figge , a Name of no despicable Character in this Parish ; but it was very transitory here likewise ; for about the Beginning of King James , the Title was interwoven with the Interest of Thompson , who in our Fathers Remembrance , conveyed it by Sale to Mr. ...... Taylor , Fruiterer to the abovesaid Prince ; and his Discendant , not many years since alienated it to Mr. Stringer of Goudherst .

I. I. I. I.

ICkham in the Hundred of Downehamford , was given by King Offa to Christ-church , and to the Monks of that Covent , in the year 781. under the Notion of fifteen Plough-lands , and was for a Supplement of Dyet . This Donation in the year 958. was confirmed by Athelward , Odo the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , being then present , and attesting the Ratification : In the Time of Edward the Confessor , when the first Design of Doomesday Book was started ; it was rated at four Sullings or Plough-lands : nor did it fall in that Account , when that generall Register was perfected , which was in the twentieth year of the Conqueror , defending it self at the same Estimate , and upon the Appraisment was valued at thirty pound . And here it was fastned until King Henry the eighth finding the Revenue of the Church was diffused into too wide a Latitude and Circumference , contracted it by a general Dissolution into a narrower Orbe , and having rent off this Mannor from the Ecclesiastical Demeasne , like an Excrescence sprouting out from a luxuriant Stem , he ingrafted it again by his Letters Patent , on the Dean and Chapter of Christ-church , and they settled it by Lease on Edward Isaack a Noble Confessor for the Protestant Religion , in the Raign of Queen Mary , when so many were sent to Heaven , like so many Elias's Flammeis vecti Quadrigis in Chariots of fire , who rather chose to desert his Country , then abandon his Religion , and to lose his Estate rather then to debauch or relinquish his Conscience , as his Epitaph on an old Tablet affixed to a Pillar contiguous to his Grave-stone in the Nave of Christ-church at Canterbury does instruct us . Upon his Recesse , this was seized upon by the Crown , and Queen Mary by Grant united it to the Revenue of George Lord Cobham , whose infortunate Grand-child Henry Brooke , being attainted , in the Raign of King James , that Monarch restored his Estate , forfeited here , to Robert Cecill Earl of Salisbury , his Brother in Law , whose Son Robert , now Earl of Salisbury , holds the instant Possession of it , but hath lately alienated some part of it to Mr. Roger Lukin of London .

Apulton is a second Mannor in Ickham , written in old Deeds Apylton , as being the Inheritance of a Family of that Name ; for in an old Deed of Reginald de Cornehill , that was owner of Lukedale in Littlebourne , not far distant , one William de Apylton of Ickham is a Witness ; but whether this Family was knit by any Relation to the Noble Family of the Apyltons of Essex and Suffolk , I am incertain . Afterwards , the Denis's were possest of it , and one John Denis of Apulton in Ickham , who was Sheriff of London , in the year of Grace 1360. Founded here a Chauntry , in the Raign of Edward the third , as appears by an old Manuscript , in the Hands of Mr. Thomas Denne , lately deceased , and was called Denis Chauntry , and the Lands which relate to it , are at this Day styled Denis Lands : After this Family was worn out , I find one Adam Oldmeade , by the private Deeds , to be in the Raign of Henry the fifth and Henry the sixth , owner of it ; from whom before the latter end of that Prince , it came over by Sale to Bemboe , and from him to Hunt , in which Family it made no long stay . For about the latter of Henry the seventh , I find it alienated to Dormer , a Branch of the Dormers of Buckinghamshire , and from this Name not many years after it went away to Gason , a Name very ancient in this Parish , and here likewise was the Possession of as brief a Date ; for Dormer by Sale passed it away to Hodgekin ( whose Ancestors were formerly possest of Uffington in Gonston , and transmitted it by Sale to Ashenden ) and here likewise was the Title very variable , for within the Circle of fourscore years it acknowledged not only this Family ; but Rutland , Winter , and Dee , to have been its Successive Proprietaries : from the last of which , not many years since , it was by Sale carried off to Frostall , in which name it is still resident .

The Mannor of Baa in this Parish , had anciently Possessors of that Sirname , as appears by an old Fragment of Glass in the Church Windows , whereon is superscribed this incoherent Inscription . Hic ...... Ba ..... and at the Pedestal of another antiquated Portraiture Thomas de Baa . After the Baas , the Wendertons of Wenderton in Wingham , were possest of it for several Generations , until William Wenderton , about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , passed it away by Sale to Hugh Warham Esquire , Brother to the Arch-bishop , and he gave it in Dower with Anne his Daughter , matched to Sir Anthony St. Leger , Lord President of Ireland , whose Descendant Sir Warham St. Leger , passed it away to Mr. ...... Denue of Denne Hill in Kingston , whose Heir Mr. Thomas Denne , late Recorder of Canterbury , almost in our Memory alienated it to Curling .

Before I leave Ickham , I must inform the Reader that Peter de Ickham , was born in this Parish ; a man whom both Ball in his Centuries , and Pitseus in his Track , de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis , do highly magnifie for a man of eminent Literature : whither I refer my Reader .

Ivie-church in the Hundred of St. Martins and Aloesbridge , contains sundry Places within its Confines , not to be entombed in silence . The first is Capells-Court , the Seat of a Family of that Sirname , and were written frequently At Capell , and in Latin de Capella , and were a Family certainly of signall Account in Kent , as appears by their Land , which lay scattered in Linton and Boxley , where John de Capell held Land called Tattellmell in that Parish , in the thirty seventh year of H. the third , as appears by a Charter of Inspection , of that Prince , wherein he confirms Land to the Abby of Boxley , which bordered on the Land of John de Capell at Tattellmell . Richard de Capell this Man's Successor , dyed possest of Capell Court in Werehorn , and this here , in the fifteenth year of Richard the second . But after this Man's decease , it did not long remain annexed to the Name : for this Family expiring in a Female Heir , shee by matching with Harlackenden , of the Borough of Harlackenden in Woodchurch , united it to the Patrimony of this Family , and here it rested untill the Beginning of King James , and then Deborah , Sole Daughter and Heir of Walter Harlackenden , a Branch of the abovesaid Stem by espousing Sir Edward Hales , late of Tunstall deceased , entwined it with his Demeasne : upon whose Death , it devolved to his Grandchild Sir Edward Hales , now of Tunstall Baronet .

Cheyneys Court is a second place of Account in this Parish , and had this Name imposed upon it , because it lay folded up in the Revenue of that Name , of that Family , Alexander de Cheyney , who flourished in the Raign of Henry the third , and Edward the first , in the ninth of which Prince's raign he was one of that Catalogue , as appears by Kirkbie's Inquest kept in the Exchequer , who was embarked in that successefull War , which was commenced by that Monarch against the Welsh , and dyed possest of this Mannor , in the twenty fourth year of his Government . After whose Decease , it was constantly resident in this Family , untill Henry Lord Cheyney . Son of Sir Thomas Cheyney , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away by Sale to Mr. Richard Knatchbull , whose Heir Generall , Sir Norton Knatchbull , Knight and Baronet , extracted originally , from th● Knatchbulls of Limne , where I find the Name by Deeds , very ancient , is now in the Possession of the Demeasne , but the Mannor was conveyed by Sale to Sir Walter Roberts .

More Court is a third place in Ivie Church , which must not find its enterrement in Silence because it was the ancient Seat of the Moores , now Barons of Mellifont in Ireland , before they were transplanted into More-place in Benenden , by matching with the Heir generall of Sir William Brenchley , Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , under Henry the sixth , and this is evident by a Fine levyed , between John the Son of Thomas de Iden , and John de More of Ivie-church ( so he is named in the Record ) by which , the said John passes away Land to John de More of Rolvenden , in the year of Grace 1280. And in this Family for many Generations was it constant and permanent , untill the latter end of Henry the seventh ; and then the common Vicissitude of Purchase ( which like a Moath or Canker , frets into ancient Titles ) brought it to be the Possession of Taylor , and here it was settled untill in the second year of Edward the sixth , ( as by an Exemplification , now in the Hands of Thomas Taylor Esq ; is evident ) it was divided between William and John Taylor Gentlemen ; and they immediately after , by a joint and mutuall Concurrence , alienated their Interest here , to Peter Godfrey Gentleman , Great Grand-father to Sir Thomas Godfrey , now of Hepington in Nether Hardres , who is the instant Proprietary of it .

Iwade in the Hundred of Milton , is a small Parish , situated no great distance from the Swale , which exposes it self to the injurious Impression of many Fogs , and other sullen Vapours , which exhale , from the adjacent Marishes ; so that , the Air becomming by these Mists , contagious and unheathfull , we must expect , that it cannot be very populous , nor contain many places in it , considerable in their Account . The only place of Note being Colshill-hall , a place in its Name , proportionate to its Position , though formerly it had Owners of its own Appellation : for in a Deed of William de Codshill , who held Land at Middleton Bobbing , and elsewhere , and which bears Date , from about the fiftieth of Henry the third , I find one John de Colsted a Witnesse . But in Times of no great distance , from that Prince's Raign , I find the Alefs or Alephs , possest of it , and to this Family : does the ancient Shell or Fabrick of the House , owe the principal part of its Structure ; especially that , which by its Antiquity obliges the Eye to so much Regard and Veneration as is evident by the Hall , which in diverse places is diaper'd with an A. and then a Leafe , a Rebus , which treasures up the Relique of the Name , remaining unwritten . And appears to be exceeding ancient , by the Character calculated for the Raign of Edward the third . From whose Time , untill the Beginning of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth , it continued knit to this Name of Alef ; and then Thomas Aleph , the last of this Name , being extinguished in a Daughter and Heir called Margaret , matched to John Monins Esquire , this by that Alliance , became the Inheritance of that Name , but made no long aboad in their Revenue : for in our Grand-fathers memory , it went away by Sale from Monins to Lewin ; and Lewin , not many years since , concluding in a Female Inheritrix , she by being affianced to Rogers , branched out from Rogers of Brianson in the West , linked it to the Inheritance of that Family , where it had as brief a Residence ; for Rogers not long since , dying without Issue-male , Elizabeth his only Heir , by her espousalls with Charles Cavendish , Lord Mansfield , hath now interwoven it with the Propriety and Income , relating to that eminent and illustrious Family .

K. K. K. K.

KEmsing in the Hundred of Codsheath , is a Parish , which , in Respect of its Circuit and Dimension , is but despicable ; but , in Relation to those Persons who in elder Times were Possessors of it , it is not inferiour in its value to scarce any Parish in this Hundred . The first that I find to be its Proprietary , was Falcatius de Brent , and he is mentioned in the Red-book kept in the Exchequer , to have held it in the Raign of Henry the second , and was Castellan likewise of Kemsing-Castle , a place then of important Concernment , though now it 's Skelleton it self , be shrunk into such a desolate and neglected Masse of Rubbish , that it would be now as difficult to trace it out or find it , as it was formerly to conquer it . And this Mans Son , was that Falcatius de Brent , so famous in our Chronicles for those wild Disorders and Sallies arising from those Boilings and Evaporations which were cast out by the Calentures of Youth , rather then from any vitious Habit , contracted from severall Acts of Excesse , and riveted into his Soul . Yet , it seems , these Excursions of his , did so disgust King Henry the third , that he made the Forfeiture of his Estate here , pay the price of his Vanities . Indeed , that name , his Misfortunes rather then his Treasons , seem to Challenge . And then that Prince , in the sixth year of his Reign , granted it , with the Mannor of Sauters in Sutton at Hone , to Baldwin de Betun Earl of Albemarle , in Right of his Wife Hawis , Daughter and Heir of William le Grosse Earl of Albemarle , and Lord of Holdernesse . And this Baldwin , had , by her , two Daughters and Coheirs , Hawis the eldest of them , was married to William le Marshall Earl of Pembroke , to whom her Father gave with her in Marriage , Kemsing Sawters , and much other Land in this County : but this Mans Successor , Anselme le Marshall Earl of Pembroke , dying without Issue , Robert Bigod Earl of Norfolk , by Mawd his Mother , the Heir Generall of the Family , as being Sister to Gilbert Marshall Earl of Pembroke , entered upon the Estate of that Family , here at Kemsing : and he passed it away to Otho Lord Grandison , with the Advowson of the Church of Kemsing , in the eleventh year of Edward the first . And after this Family was worn out , I find the Says to Step into the Inheritance , and Geffrey de Say , held it at his Death , which was in the forty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 24. Parte secunda . From whom , the Propriety flowed down to his Successor Geffrey Lord Say , and he concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , whereof Elizabeth , one of them was affianced to Sir William Fiennes : who in her Right was invested in Kemsing , and from him was the Title by Descent transported over to William Lord Fiennes , Son of James Lord Fiennes , and he in the second year of Edward the fourth , passed it away to Sir Geffrey Bolein , Great Grand-father to George Viscount Rochford , who was beheaded and left no Issue , in the Raign of Henry the eighth , so that this upon his Father Sir Thomas Boleyn , Earl of Wilts , departure without any other Issue-male , in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , devolved to that Prince , who seised upon it in Right of his Wife , the infortunate Anne Bullen , who was eldest Sister to the unhappy Viscount . And here in the Revenue of the Crown did it lie couched , until Queen Elizabeth , in the first year of her Raign , passed it away by Grant to her Kinsman Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon , Son of William Cary , Esquire of the Body to Henry the eighth , and of Mary his Wife , Sister to Q. Anne , Mother to the above said Princesse , and his Grandchild Henry Earl of Dover , alienated his Right in it to Richard Earl of Dorset , and he not many years since , passed it away to Mr. ...... Smith , vulgarly called Dog-Smith , who upon his Decease settled the Fee-simple for ever on the Hospital of St. Thomas in Southwarke .

There was an old Knightly Family , which tooke their Sirname from this Parish , and was styled Kemsing , and their Coat was Argent , a Fesse and Cheveron , interlaced Sables , now quatered by Mr. William Hart of Lullingston Esquire , in Right of Peche , who married the Heir General .

Kenardington in the Hundred of Blackborn , is by Contraction called Kenarton : and although it cannot much boast of the healthful situation thereof , yet it hath had Lords and Owners of a very great Estimate ; Will . de Normannia held it in the Raign of K. John , and part of the Raign of Henry the third , as appears by the Pipe Rolls , which relate to those Times , and concern this County : Rafe de Normanvill is registred in the list of those Kentish Gentlemen , who were with Richard the first at the Seige of Acon in Palestine . After him his Son Thomas de Normannia or Normanvill ; for so he is written in the ancient Rolls succeeded in the Possession of it , but died in the eleventh year of Edward the first , without Issue-male ; so that by his only Daughter and Heir it devolved to be the Possession of Sir William de Basing , with the Mannor of Cockride likewise , which was folded up in her Inheritance , and was one of those Knights who accompanied King Edward the first , in the twenty eighth year of his Raign , in that succesful Expedition which he was ingaged in , when he undertook the Conquest of Scotland . After him , William de Basing held it , and was Sheriff of Kent , in the eighth year of Edward the second ; and dying in his Shrievalty , Margaret his Widdow accounted for the Profits of the County , as the Records of the Pipe Office set forth . Sir Thomas de Basing his Son died seised of it , in the twenty third year of Edward the third , and paid respective Aid for it under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee , at making the Black Prince Knight , and left it to John his Son , a Child of eight years of Age , who after was Knighted , and died possest of it in the seventh year of Richard the second , and left it to Thomas his Son and Heir , then eleven years of Age , and he had Issue Thomas likewise , who dying without Issue , John Basing his Uncle was found to be his Heir , but was scarce planted in his new acquired Patrimony : but he also , in the twenty fourth year of Henry the sixth , expired without Issue , so that the Inheritance devolved to Alice his Sister matched to Thomas Mackworth , as the Heir General of the Family . And thus were the Basings at this Place extinguished , who before they planted in Kent , were registred amongst the prime Gentlemen of Middlesex : Salomon de Basing was Sheriff of London , the last year of King John ; Adam de Basing was Lord Mayor of London , in the thirty sixth year of Henry the third ; and Robert de Basing succeeded in that Office , in the seventh year of Edward the first , and Basings-Hall ows both his Name and Foundation to this Family ; and John Stow in his Survey of London , ascribes to them the Degree of Barons of the Realm . But to return into that Path from whence this Discourse had diverted me . After Mackworth , which , by Female Devolution , was possest of this Mannor , was worn out , which was about the Beginning of Henry the seventh : The Hornes of Hornes-place in this Parish , were by Purchase settled in the Inheritance . Gentlemen certainly they were of as eminent Account as any in this Territory , and had been Proprietaries of this Seat for many Hundreds of years ; for one Ralph de Hurne of Kenardington , was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae , in the Raign of King John , Persons , who , before the Office of Justice of Peace was instituted , did supply their Place , and were much in Resemblance , like the Grand Inquest at this Day , being assistant both by their presence and concurrent Counsels to the Justices in Eyre , in all the great Decisions which did relate to Causes Criminal , emergent à tribus Forisfacturis , or the three Forfeitures , Murder , Felony , and Breach of the Peace . But to proceed : In this Family , did the Propriety both of Hernes-place and Kenardington thus purchased of Mackworth , lie rolled up together , until the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth , and then Bennet Horne the Heir General of both these being matched to ...... Guldford a Romish Catholick , he , to decline the Oath of Supremacy , fled beyond Sea with his Wife , upon whose Recesse the Crown seised upon that Estate , which had formerly accrewed to him in behalf of his Wife at this place , as escheated upon the Statute of praemunire . And the above said Princesse immediately after , granted the Premises thus forfeited to Walter Moile of Buckwell Esquire , Ancestor to Mr. Robert Moile , who claims the present Signiory both of Kenardington and Hornes-place .

Kenington , in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge , was a Mannor which alwaies related to the Crown , as is intimated by the Name , where lie tacitly couched some Hints of those who were Proprietaries of it . And Keningbrooke , which is circumscribed within the Limits of this Parish , was annexed by William the Conqueror to his Royal Mannor of Wye , and was looked upon as an Appendage to it , and followed the Fate of it at the common Dissolution , when the other was plucked away from the Patrimony of Battell Abby , in which ever since the Original Donation of William the Conqueror it had been resident , and was with the Mannor of Wye , by Queen Elizabeth granted , in the first year of her Raign , to her Kinsman Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon : and his Grand-child Hen. Earl of Dover , not many years since , passed it away by Sale to Sir Tho. Finch , Father to Heneage Finch , now Earl of Winchelsey , in whose Revenue it is at this instant setled .

Bibrooke is a second Place in Kenington , which claims some Consideration . It was , as appears by very old Evidences , the Patrimony of a Family called Godwin , which flourished here in the Raign of King John , Henry the third , and Edward the first ; but after this it began to wither , and before the latter end of Edward the third , was altogether crumbled away , the last of whom that I find by publique Record to be invested in the Possession , was William Godwin , who enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the thirty second year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 93. The next Family after this , which was entituled to the Possession , was Belknap ; but Sir Robert Belknap being infortunately attainted and banished , in the tenth year of Richard the second , to whose Cause and Quarrel he had wholly vowed his Life and Service , and his Estate , as to the principall part , confiscated , in which this lay involved , the same Monarch , in the thirteenth year of his Raign , granted it to William Ellys , who was at that Time one of the Conservators or Justices of the Peace of this County , whose Capital Seat was at Burton in this Parish , though in very old Deeds it is written Burston , as being indeed the Seat of a Branch of that Family , from whom it came over about the latter end of Edward the second , to Ellys , but in the Name of Ellys the Title of Bibrooke was not long-liv'd ; for about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , I find it by Purchase invested in Shelley , by whose Heir General it devolved in the Time of Edward the fourth , to May , from whom not long after it was alienated to Tilden , where it continued , until about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth ; and then the same Revolution transported the Title to Best , who about the latter end of that Princesse , passed it away by Sale to Hall , Ancestor to Mr. Nevill Hall , the present Lord of this Mansion ; but Burton was more constant to the Family of Ellys , and remained linked to the Patrimony of that Name , until that Age , which bordered upon our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was demised by Sale to Hall , in whose Descendant Mr. Nevill Hall , the Propriety is at present resident .

Keston in the Hundred of Rokesley , belonged ( in the twentieth year of William the Conquerour , as the Pages of Dooms-day Book inform me ) to Gilbert de Magninot , and there it is written Cheston : and continued in his Name , untill the latter end of King John ; and then by the Heir Generall of this Family , it came to be possest of Say , of Says-court in Deptford : but stayed not long in this Name , for in the twenty fourth year of Edward the first , Alexander de Cheyney dyed possest of it , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 26. But in his Posterity likewise , it had no long Residence ; for about the Beginning of Edward the third , it was conveyed to Stephen de Ashway ; and he in the thirty eighth of this Prince , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Keston . And here the Title fixed , untill the Beginning of Henry the fourth , and then it was alienated with Baston , which had still the same original and successive Proprietaries with Keston , to Squerris of Squerries-court in Westerham : and here it made its aboad untill the latter end of Henry the sixth , and then it devolved by Dorothy Daughter and Coheir of Thomas Squerrie , to Richard Mervin of Fountell in Wiltshire , who passed away Keston and Baston , both which accrued to him , upon the Division of Squerrie's Estate , to Philp Reynolds , and Thomas Tregarthen , as his Trustees ; and they , in the eighth year of Edward the fourth , convey them both to Richard Scroope and Stephen Scroop ; from whom about the latter end of Edward the fourth , they came to Henry Heyden Esquire ; and he in the first year of Richard the first , as is manifest , by an old Court-rol , held a Court here at Keston ; and from him , did the Propriety , by the Steps of several Descents , come down to that worthy Person Sir Christopher Heydon ; who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , demised all his Interest in Keston and Baston , to Sir Samuel Lennard , whose Son Sir Stephen Lennard , is still entituled to the Fee-simple of them .

Mr. Camden conjectures in his Britannia , something of the Name of Caesar , to be couched in the Etymologie of this place , because at Baston , adjoyning , there is an ancient Camp , stupendious for the heighth of double Rampiers , and depth of double Ditches , hardly paralleled elsewhere , and questionlesse the work of many Labouring Hands . Of what Capacity it was , is not now exactly to be discerned , much of it being overgrown with a Thicket : but very vast it was , as may be collected , from its remains , which are yet apparent . And most probable , it is that Camp which Julius Caesar pitched , when the Britons , with their united strength , gave him the last Battle ; and then the successe , being not equall to their Courage , retired , and gave him way to pierce into Surrey , and so towards the Thames by Noviomagum , or Woodcott , where he planted a spatious City and standing Camp .

Kingsdown in the Hundred of Wrotham , is spread into two Mannors called Northcourt , and Southcourt , both which anciently acknowledged themselves , to be parcell of the Demeasne of Fitz Bernard , who flourished here , under the Notion , and in the Degree of Barons , and had this Mannor by Grant from Henry the first , and with it , had these priviledges , annexed to it , Toll and Theam , Sac and Soc , Furcas in Latrones Captos , that is , Infangthef and Outfangthef , Tumbrell and Pillory , and lastly , Assisam Panis & Cerevisiae , that is , a power to take Cognizance , of the Weights , and Measures of Bread , and that Beverage , which was then in use , within the Precincts of this Mannor ; and all these were allowed to Ralph Fitz Bernard , as granted before by Henry the first , by the Judges Itinerant , in the seventh year of Edward the first , and this Man was Son to John Fitz Bernard , who was rated , after the value , of a whole Knights Fee , for his Mannor of Kingsdown ( as appears by Testa de Nevill ) in the twentieth year of Henry the third , at the Marriage of Isabell , that Prince's Sister . Thomas Fitz Bernard , Son to Ralph above-mentioned , enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the sixth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. And from him , it descended to John Fitz Bernard , who in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third , dyed without Issue , upon whose Decease , the four Daughters , of Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , matched to Rosse , Vere , Mortimer , and Tiptoft , entered upon the Possession , 〈◊〉 Heirs to their Mother , who was Sister and Heir , to this John Fitz Bernard , and upon the Breaking the Estate into Parcells , upon the Partition , this was united to the Demeasne of Wiliam Rosse of Hamlake , in Right of his Wife Margaret , who was Coheir likewise to her two Brothers , Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , and Giles Lord Badelesmer , who both dyed without Issue : and John Rosse this Man's Son was in the Possession of it at his Death , which was in the seventeenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 49. And from him , did it glide down to his infortunate Grandchild Thomas Lord Rosse , who was attainted and beheaded at New-Castle in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , whilst he endevoured to support the sinking House of Lancaster , upon whose Shipwrack , this was annexed to the Revenue of the Crown , and in the eighteenth year of his Reign , Edward the fourth , restores it for Life , to Margaret , Wife of Roger Lord Wentworth , who was Widow of Thomas Lord Rosse : but after his Deeease , it returned to the Crown , and slept in its Revenue , untill King Henry the eighth , passed it away by Grant , to John Wilkinson ; from which Name , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , it was conveyed to Richard Lovelace , who dying without Issue-male , Margaret matched to Henry Cooke of Lanham Esq ; , became his Heir , and in her Right , is now entered upon Northcourt and Southcourt , which make up the Mannor of Kingsdown .

Hever is another Mannor in Kingsdown , which was parcell of the Demeasne of the ancient Family of Hever , of Hever Castle in this County . William de Hever , had a Charter of Free-warren , to his Lands here , and at Hever , in the ninth year of Edward the first , which was renued to Thomas de Hever , in the fourth year of Edward the third , but he did not long enjoy it : for he dying without Issue , Joan his Sister and Coheir , matched to Reginald Lord Cobham , became Heir to his Estate at this place , and he in her Right , dyed possest of it , in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third . But before the latter end of Richard the second , this Family was worn out , and then the Family of Vrban succeeded by purchase in the Possession . John Vrban held it at his Death , which was in the eighth year of Henry the fifth , Rot. Esc . Num. 75. And left it to his Sister and Heir Emma Penhale , and she enjoyed it at her Decease , which was in the fifth year of Hen. the sixth , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. But it was not long , after this , in the Tenure of this Name : for Richard Lovelace , by his last Will , in the year 1465 , which was made in the fifth of Edward the fourth , ordains , that his Feoffees make an Estate of this Mannor of Hever , which he purchased of Penhale , to Katharine , his Daughter ; and if she dye without Issue , as she did , then he wills , that it descend to John Lovelace his Son and Heir : and from this John did it , by an uninterrupted Series of Descent devolve to Rich. Lovelace ; and from him , did it go away by Margaret his Sole Daughter and Heir to Henry Cook of Lanham in Suffolk Esquire , in which Name it is at this instant resident .

Chipsted is a third Mannor in Kingsdown , which indisputably gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so called . For I find , Adam de Chipsted dyed possest of it at his Death , which was in the forty first year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. And after this Family was extinguished , the Mowbrays were planted in the Possession , and continued in the Inheritance , from the latter end of Richard the second , untill the Beginning of Henry the sixth ; and then it was passed away by Sale , to John Martin , Justice of the Common-pleas , whose Son John Martin in the thirty third year of Henry the sixth , alienates it to Thomas Underdown of Dertford ; and he , not long after , gives it to Richard Thetcher , of Warbulton in Sussex ; and he in the nineteenth year of Edward the fourth , sold it to William Atwood ; and his Son Robert Atwood , in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , demises one moiety of it to Nicholas Taylor , and the other Moiety , in the twenty second year of the abovesaid Prince , to Sibill of Littlemoat in Eynsford . William Taylor , and William Atwood , in the first year of Queen Mary , passe away their Proportion of it to Sir John Champneys , and his Son Justinian Champneys , not long after alienates his Interest in it to Lovelace , and by the Heir Generall of that Family , it is now devolved to Mr. Henry Cook abovementioned : the other Moiety by Ann Sole Heir of Lancelot Sibill , came to be possest by Mr. John Hope : in which Name it did not long remain ; for in our Memory , it was by Sale , demised to Mr. Hodsoll , of Hodsoll in Ash , and he is now in the enjoyment of it .

Woodland is the last Mannor in this Parish , and was anciently a Chappell of Ease to Kingsdowne , till in the year 1557. it was by Reginald Fole then Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Canterbury united to Wrotham . But the Mannor is still circumscribed within the Precincts of Kingsdown . It was formerly a Branch of that Revenue which owned the Title and Jurisdiction of that powerful Baron , Hamon de Crevequer , and he died possest of it , in the forty seventh year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 33. But , after him , I find not much more of this Family at this Place ; for in the ninth year of Edward the third , John , Son of John St. Clere enjoyed it , as appears by the Inquisition taken after his Death , Rot. Esc . Num. 48. Afterwards I discover Thomas St. Clere to be possest of it at his Death , in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , and so was Margaret St. Clere Widdow of Philip , in the first year of Henry the sixth , and Thomas St. Clere held it in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth ; and from his Descendant , about the latter end of Henry the seventh , it passed away by Sale to Pett of Pett-house in Sevenoke , and John Pett his Successor sold Woodland , in the seventeenth year of Queen Elizabeth , to William Rowe of London ; by the Daughter and Heir of which Family , even in our fathers Memory , it came over to the instant Possessor , Jenny of Norfolke .

Kingsdown in the Hundred of Milton , was given by Hubert de Burgh , to his newly erected Maison le Dieu in Dover , which was to be a Retreat for the Knights Templers , when they visired Temple Ewell , and other Lands they enjoyed in this Track ; but this Mannor , upon the total Suppression and Abolition here in England , was in the seventeenth year of Edward the second , united to the Revenne of the Knights Hospitalers , and remained annexed to their Demeasne , until the common Dissolution supplanted it , and then King Henry the eighth , granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney , who in the first year of Queen Elizabeth , by Sale conveyed it to Mr. Thomas Finch , from whom it is now by Descent come down to be the Inheritance of his Successor Mr. Thomas Finch .

Kingston in the Hundred of Kinghamford , was one of those Knights Fees , which was assigned to Fulbert de Dover , for to be assistant to John de Fiennes , in the Guard of Dover Castle . And indeed it hath been disputable , whether this , or Chilham , or both jointly , were that which in Writings is styled the Honor of Fulberts . William de Dover was Teste amongst the Magnates in the Charter of Mawd , the Empress , for creating Miles of Glocester Earl of Hereford ; and from this man did it descend to Richard de Dover , who was base Son to King John , and assumed that Name , because he had matched with Roesia or Rose de Dover , the Heir General of that Family . But he dying in the Beginning of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Car. Num. 237. lest it to Isabell his Co-heir , wedded to David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl , whose infortunate Son John , Earl of Atholl , a man of an unbroken , though a Calamitous Fidelity towards his Native Country of Scotland , seeking to rescue the Liberty of that Nation from those Fetters , which the Hand of Edward the first would have put upon it , was in an unsuccesful Encounter taken Captive , and offered up to the Fury of that Prince on a Gibber fifty Foot high ; at London , saies Daniel ; at Canterbury , saies an old Manuscript , late in the Hands of Sir Dudley Diggs : which last was rather the Stage on which his Tragedy was represented , because that City was almost contiguous to his two great Mannors of Chilham , and this of Kingston . Upon his fatal and deplorable Exit , aggravated , because so much Virtue and Courage , did rather seem to exact Chaplets and Laurels , than so black and ruinous a Catastrophe ; this Mannor was linkt to the Crown , untill King Edward the second , in the fifth year of his Raign , grants it to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , Steward of his House ; but he not long after by an ingrateful Defection , having forfeited it again to the Crown ; that Prince by a new Concession invests it for life in David de Strabolgie Earl of Atholl ; but , after his Disease , which was in the first year of Edward the third , that Prince in the second year of his Raign , restores it to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , who dying without Issue , left it in the twelfth year of Edward the third , to his Son and Heir Giles , who not long after deceasing likewise without any lawful Issue , it came to be divided between his two Sisters and Co-heirs , Margaret wedded to William Lord Rosse of Hamlake , and Margerie matched to John Tiptoft ; but before the end of Edward the third , this Family had wholly departed from this place , and the entire Possession was surrendered up to Rosse . For Thomas Lord Rosse , dyed possest of it , in the seventh year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 68. And from him , did the Title slide down to his unhappy Successor Thomas Lord Rosse , who was attainted in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , and his Forfeiture brought it to the Crown , where it rested , untill the abovesaid Prince , granted it to Roger Lord Wentworth . And Margaret his Wife , Widow of Thomas Lord Rosse , in the eighteenth year of his Rule , he conveyed it to him , because he had been a great Supporter of his Partie and Title , and then to her , because she was Sister to John Tiptoft Earl of Worcester , who was offered up , as an Oblation by the Lancastrian Faction , to his Cause and Quarrell ; and from this Roger , did it come down to his Successor Richard Lord Wentworth , who in the twenty first year of Henry the eighth , demised it by Sale to Thomas Colepeper Esquire , in which Family it continued , untill the thirty fourth year of that Prince : and then it was conveyed away to Sir Anthony Aucher , whose Successor Sir Anthony Aucher of Bourne Baronet , not many years since , conveyed it by Sale to Mr. Gibbons of Westcliff , who settled it in Marriage , upon his second Son Dr. Gibbons , not long since deceased , in whose Descendants , the Propriety is still resident .

Ilding in Kingston , in Times of as high a Step as any Records can ascend to , was the Garwintons of Bekesbourn , as appears by that Signal Controversie , commenced between Thomas de Garwintor , and Theobald de Twitham , touching some lands couched within the Verge of his Mannor of Ilding : and the Question was so knotty and perplexed , that Henry de Cobham , Geffrey de Say , Hugh de St. Leger , Ralph de St. Leger , Gile ; de Badelesmere , Fulk de Peyferer , Robert de Malevill , Alexander de Rosse , Robert de Gatton , Robert de Campania , Richard de Bere , Henry de Sorne , Henry de Enbroke , Alured de Corton ; and other Gentlemen of prime Account in this Track , were chosen Recegnitores magnae Assisae , in the second year of King John , by their Prudence and dextrous Conduct , to soften and becalme this Difference . But to go on : after the Signory of this place , had for many Ages , been constant to this Family , it devolved to Thomas Garwinton , who dying without Issue , in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , Richard Haut who had married Joan Garwinton , his Heir Generall in her Right was entituled to the Possession of this place ; but his Son and Heir Richard Haut , was the last which held it : for Margery his Sole Inheritrix , united it to the Inheritance of Isaack , in which Name it stayed , untill the Beginning of Henry the seventh , and then it was transmitted by Sale to Diggs of Diggs-court in Berham , and remained clasped up in their Revenue , untill that Age , which almost was concluded in the Circle of our Remembrance , and then it was by Sale transplanted into Wilford , so that the Lady Eliz. Wilford , Widow Dowager of Sir Thomas Wilford , is now by Right of Jointure in Possession of it .

Parmested is a third place which calls for a Survey : it was as high , as any Evidence drawn from Record will instruct me to discover , the Inheritance of a Family which bore that Sirname : for in diverse old Deeds which I have surveyed , I find one Hugh de Permested to be a Witnesse , which is very probable , was Lord of this Place . But before the latter end of Edward the second , this Family was worn out , and that of Garwinton planted in the Possession , as appears by an old Fine levyed in the eighth year of Edward the third , by Hugh Garwinton in which he passes away his Estate at Permested , to Thomas Garwinton : from whom it descended to his great Grandchild William Garwinton , who dyed possest of it , in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 45. But left no Issue , so that Joan his Kinswoman , matched to Richard Haut , became his Heir ; and he had Issue Richard Haut , in whom the Male-line concluding , William Isaac , in Right of his Wife Margerie , who was Daughter and Heir to the above-mentioned Richard , entered upon his Estate here at Permested ; and about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , passed it away by Sale to Edward Knevet , of Newington Belhouse Esquire , and his Daughters and Coheirs , by joint Sale , demised it to Tho. Lord Cromwell : and he in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , alienated it to Christopher Hales Esquire , afterwards knighted , first Attorney Generall , and then Master of the Rolls , under the abovesaid Prince , and his Son Sir James Hales , conveyed it away to Thomas Alphew aliàs Alphy , Yeoman . From this Man it came over by Sale in the fifth year of Queen Elizabeth to William Downe of Maidstone Draper , and he in the sixth year of that Princesse , transmitted it by the like conveyance to Doctour Vincent Denne , Doctour of the Civil Law , Grand-father to Mr. Vincent Denne of Grays Inne Esquire , the present Lord of the Fee . A Person to whose Conduct and supply this particular Survey ows a grateful Remembrance , because , by his Concurrent Aid , it was guided along through all those Difficulties which might have probably intercepted it in its farther progresse .

Denhill in this Parish was not only the Seat , but likewise the Seminary of a Family of eminent Note in this County ; Ralph de Den held much Land in Romney Mersh , and likewise at Buckhurst in Sussex ( as appears by an old Roll now in the Hands of the Earl of Dorset ) about the twentieth of William the Conqueror , and is styled in the Record , Son of Robert Pincerna , a Name imposed upon his Father from being , as is probable , either Butler or Sewer to Edward the Confessor , an Office of no vulgar Account in those Times . Sir Alured de Den flourished in the Raign of Henry the third , and was a Person of signal Estimate in that Age ; for when the Laws of Romney Mersh were compiled by that venerable Judge , Henry de Bath , from which all England receives Directions for Sewers , this Sir Alured and Nicolas de Haudloe were his Associates and Assistants in the Composure of them , in the forty second year of Henry the third , on Saturday next after the Nativity of St. Mary ; and which makes this Sir Alured de Den more remarkable , he sealed even in that Age , divided by so remote a Distance from us , with three Leopards Heads couped and full faced , which is the ancient paternal Coat of this Family . Indeed if I should enter into a particular Discourse of all those Persons who have been originally extracted from this Family , and were formerly eminent , not only within the private Sphere of this County , as being invested with the Commission of Justices of the Peace , and other Offices of publique Trust and Concernment , but likewise shone like Stars of the first Magnitude , within the two Orbes of Divinity , and the Law both Civil and Municipal ; the Survey of this Place , which I intend to retrench within as narrow Bounds as may be , must swell into a particular Treatise ; it is enough therefore to inform the Reader , that it hath been so many Centuries of years folded up in the Propriety of Den. that there is no Gappe at all in the Succession between Ralph de Den the first of that Name , and Tho. Den Esq ; the last who in a direct Line enjoyed it . Nor hath it yet departed from the Name ; for the above mentioned Thomas , lately deceasing without Issue-Male , Vincent Donne of Grays-Inn Esquire , collarerally issued out of this Family , by matching with Mary his yongest Daughter and Coheir in Right of this Alliance , is now in the instant Possession of it .

Kingsnoth in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge , did in elder Times give Sear and Sirname to a Family which assumed its Denomination from hence , who bore as appears by Seals appendant to their ancient Deeds , Ermin upon a Bend , five Cheverons , and John de Kingsnoth , who flourished here about the latter end of Edward the first , sealed with that Coat , and this Inscription encircles the Seal , Sigillum Joannis de Kingsnoth . Yet I find Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , who was attainted , in the seventeenth year of Edw. the second , had some Interest in this Mannor , which upon his Conviction escheated to the Crown , and rested there , until Richard the second , granted it out again to Sir Robert Belknap the Judge , who had not long before purchased that proportion which Kingsnoth was concerned in : So that by this Concession it came entirely to own the Signory of this Family . But he being infortunately attainted , and cast into Exile , in the tenth year of the above said Prince ; this Mannor was annexed to the Revenue of the Crown , and was lodged there until Henry the sixth , in the twenty seventh year of his Raign , granted some part of it to Sir Thomas Brown , of Bechworth Castle in Surrey , and with it a Charter to inclose a Parke , which had Liberty of Free-warren annexed to it ; and likewise , the more to endear him , licensed this Town to hold a Fair yearly on Michaelmas Day , but the principal part of it was conveyed by Sale to Cardinal Kemp , who about the twenty eighth of Henry the sixth settled it on the Colledge of Wye , where it remained until the Resignation of its Revenue into the Hands of Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his Raign , and he by Royal Concession made it the Demeasne of Thomas Lord Cromwell , afterwards Earl of Essex . Who being attainted of High Treason , in the thirty second year of that Prince , it escheated back to the Crown , and then a Moiety of it , in the thirty fifth year of his Government , was granted to Sir John Baker , from whom by hereditary Conveyance it was delegated and transmitted to his Successor Sir John Baker of Sisingherst Baronet , who some few years since hath alienated his Concerment here , to Mr. Nathaniel Powell of Ewherst in Sussex . The other Moiety of it lay folded up in the Patrimony of the Crown , untill the first year of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was by that Princesse granted to her Kinsman Henry Cary , afterwards created Baron Hunsdon , from whom by the Channel of Descent , it was transported to his Grand-child , the Right Honorable Henry Cary Earl of Dover , who in our Memory conveyed it to Sir Thomas Finch , afterwards Earl of Winchelsey , Father to the instant Proprietary , the Right Honorable Heneage Finch , now Earl of Winchelsey .

Munfidde in this Parish was originally the Seat of the Clere's , written in their ancient Deeds le Clere. But as all Families have their Vicissitudes and Tombs ; and , like the Sea , which is circumscribed and shut in with a Girdle of Sand , are fettered to a determinate Period , so was this : for about the latter end of Edward the third , Henry le Clerc concluded in Susan le Clerc ; who was his Daughter and Heir , and she by matching with Sir Simon Woodchurch , annexed this Mannor to his Patrimony ; and he the better to inforce and perpetuate the Memory of this Alliance , and the Estate , which devolved to him by so fortunate a Conjunction ; inverted his Sirname , and writ it for the future Clerc alias Woodchurch ; in which Name the Propriety of this Place continued until the latter end of Q. Elizabeth ; and then it was alienated to Taylor of Shadoxherst , in which Name , the Interest of it , had not long continued ; but that it was in our Remembrance by Sale conveyed to Whitwick .

West-Halks is a third Mannor in Kingsnoth , which in elder Times was ennobled , for affording a Residence to a Family of this Sirname ; who bore in ancient Seals a Fesse between three Hawks , or Falcons , and sometimes one : a Family of no contemptible Estimate , or shallow Antiquity in this Track , as appears by old Escripts , Pedigrees , and other venerable Muniments , which represent this Family under the Character of Gentlemen , for above three hundred years . Sampson de Halk died about the year 1360 , and held not onely this place , Ex Autographis penes Dom. Tho. Taylor . but much other Land about Petham , and other Parishes in that Track ; but about the latter end of Henry the sixth , this Family had demised the Propriety of this place to Taylor of great Chart , in which Name it was constantly fixed , untill the latter end of Henry the seaventh , and then it was sold to Clerc , who about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth , passed it away to Robert Honywood of Charing Esquire ; who , upon his Decease , settled it by his last Will on his second Son by his second Wife , Col. ....... Honywood now the instant Lord of the Fee .

Knowlton in the Hundred of Eastrye , was parcel of the Patrimony of the noble Family of St. Leger . Hugh St. Leger ( who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the Raign of King John ) held this Mannor in the fourth year of the Raign of that Prince , and left it to his Son John St. Leger , who in the twelfth year of Henry the third , exchanged it for other Lands with Reginald de Cornhill , and he in the twenty fifth year of the abovesaid Prince , passed it away by Sale ( as the Book of Christ-Church informs me ) to the Prior and Monks of that Covent ; but it seems not long after they exchanged it with Thomas Perot ; for he , in the fourth year of Edward the third , died possest of it , as appears by his Office , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. and left onely a Female Heir , who carried it along with her to Langley descended out of the County of Warwick , and being thus chained by this Match to the Interest of this Family , it remained for many Descents fastned to it , and was productive in several Ages of Men of no vulgar Account , William de Langley Son of William Langley , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first , twenty third , twenty fourth , and twenty fifth years of Edward the third . William Langley of Knolton , was Sheriff of Kent , in the fourth year of Henry the fifth , and likewise Justice of the Peace for this County under that Prince . John Langley Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Henry the seventh , and had Issue Edward Langley Esquire , who matched with Elizabeth Daughter of Thomas Peyton , of Peyton Hall , in the County of Cambridge , descended from Peytonus de Vfford ; but he dying without Issue , about the latter end of Henry the eighth , his Wive's Brother Sir Robert Peyton , by Reason of a former Match in the Raign of Henry the fifth , between Peyton , and a Daughter of Langley , entered upon it , as Heir General at Law , and he not desirous to desert Cambridgeshire , to transplant himself into Kent , assigned Knowlton for Livelyhood , to his second Son Sir John Peyton , Grand-father to Sir Thomas Peyton , the Primier Baronet of this County , who , as lineally extracted from him , does enjoy the Propriety of it .

See more of this Family of Peyton in my Discourse of Werd .

L. L. L. L.

LAmberherst lies in the Hundred of Little Bernefield , and was sometimes written Lamberts-hurst , from Lambert a Saxon Owner ; in old English , this Name imports as much as bright , or holy and glorious Lamp , as Herebert is bright Lord . Part of this Parish is in Kent , and the other part in Sussex , distinguished by a small Stream which rises nere Cowden , and glides through this Town towards Medway . The Lordship of Lamberhurst it self , with the Mannor of Woodroff , belonged to the Monastery of Roberts Bridge , and after the Dissolution , were , by Henry the eighth , granted in the thirteenth of his Reign to Sir William Sidney , Tutor to King Edward the sixth , when he was Prince , whose Successor Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester , sold Lamberherst in our Fathers Memory to Mr. Porter , and Woodroff to Sir Edw. Henden , one of the Barons of the Exchequer , who bequeathed it to his Nephew Sir John Henden lately deceased .

Hodleigh in this Parish , was part of that Demeasne which related to the Colledge of Lingfield in Surrey , which upon the Suppression , was by Henry the eighth , granted to Thomas Cardan , from which Family it passed away to Edward Filmer Esquire , Ancestor to Sir Edward Filmer , eldest Son to Sir Robert Filmer , lately deceased , to whose Demeasne , the Propriety of it , is at present united .

The Abby of Begham in this Parish , was founded by Ela de Sackvill , and Sir Robert de Thurneham , a man of principal Account in the time of Henry the third , This Priory was suppressed by Cardinal Wolsey . and filled with Cannons Praemonstratenses , or white Cannons called so from their Habit. The Mannor which belonged to it , was by royal Concession . From Q. Elizabeth it passed away to Anthony Brown , Viscount Montague , who not long after alienated the Fee-simple to Alderman Barneham of London , who gave it to Benedict a second Son ; and he dying without Issne-male , one of his Daughters and Coheirs , married with Dobell of Sussex , and so carried it into the Inheritance of that Family , where the Possession has ever since been setled .

Scotney in this Parish , which hath borrowed that Appellation from its locall Situation , and the over-shooting of the Water , was the Residence of a Family distinguished by that Sirname and Denomination : for one Walter de Scotney , in Times of high Ascent , was Proprietary of this Place , but added not much Reputation to this Mansion , ( for as Edmund de Hadenham , a Chronicler of great Antiquity , attests ) he in the year 1259 , administred poyson by tacit Stratagem , to the Earl of Gloucester , and his Brother , to destroy them ; of which the last dyed , and the first , escaped not without Danger of Life . But to goe on : After this Family was mouldered away at this place , which was about the midst of Edward the third , the eminent Family of Ashburnham , of Ashburnham in Sussex , were entituled to the Signiory of it . Roger Ashburnham , who was one of the Conservators of the Peace for this County of Sussex , in the first year of Richard the second , had here a castellated Mansion , did sometimes inhabit at this place , and was by his Successor sold to Henry Chichley Arch-bishop of Canterbury who gave it as Dower to his Niece Florence Chichley , married to Jo. Darrell of Cale-hill : and he assigned it for the Lively-hood of his second Son , whose Posterity have ever since enjoyed it .

Here was also in this Parish the Mansion of the Chitcrofts , a Family of worth and eminent degree . Their Blazon was precisely the same with the Colepepers of Bay-hall not far distant , as if they had been a Cadet of the same House . This is a matter which falls within the Cognizance of my Profession , and because I meet with diverse ancient Houses in this County , which did the like as well as in other Counties ; I cannot leave it without setting down such Notes and Observations , as have been made upon it , having met with so many Examples , of that kind , in the Survey of this Province : For instance , St. Nicholas of St. Nicholas in the Isle of Thanett , in the very Eastern part of the Shire , and Peckham in the Western side of this County , bear the same very Coat Armour ; because peradventure , they held Land of the Lord Say , to whose Arms they did desire their own might be assimilated . Tutsham of Tutsham-hall in West-Farleigh , and Eastangrave of Eastangrave in Eden Bridge , bear both alike : Brenley of Brenley in Boughton under Blean , and Ratling of Ratling in Nonington , have no distinction ; Peyforer of North-court in Eseling , and Lenham of Lenham , lay claim to an Identitie of Impresse or Coat Armour ; and lastly , so did Watringbury of Watringbury , and Savage of Bobbing-court . Now the Reason of this neere similitude , was to preserve the Memory of those , though otherwise of different Families , who had given them Education ; or else , by particular Feoffments , had endowed them with Land ; or lastly , as an acknowledgement of the Service and Fealty they owed them , because they held their Lands by some petty Rent , Charge , or Homage , of some principall Mannor , of which they whose Coat-Armour they had thus imitated were Proprietaries .

West-Langdon lies in the Hundred of Bewsborough , and was a Mannor belonging to the Abbey of West-Langdon , which was founded by Sir William de Auberville of Westenhanger Knight , to the Honour of St. Mary , and St. Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury , and filled with white Cannons or Cannons Praemonstratenses , in the time of Richard the first . Hugh de Auberville the Founder's Son , and Sir William Auberville Son to this Hugh , were Benefactors to this House , and this last , Sir Williams only Daughter and Heir , being married to Nicholas de Crioll of Bellaview nere Limne Hill , brought this Monastery , to be under the Patronage of the Criolls , whose Demeasn upon the Dissolution , being made the Incom of the Crown , it here resided till Queen Elizabeth granted it , with all the priviledges annexed to it , in the thirty third year of her Rule to Samuel Thornehill of London Esquire , father to Sir Timothy Thornehill , upon whose Decease his Lady Dowager had West-Langdon assigned to her by Right of Jointure , as being enstated before upon her in Marriage .

East-Langdon , in the Hundred of Cornilo , did in elder Times augment that Patrimony , which fell under the Signiory of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury . In the year of Grace 824 ; Ulfred then Arch-bishop of Canterbury , exchanged this Mannor and Eythorne , with the Monks of Christ-church , for the Mannor of Berham , as the Records of that Priory discover to me : and being thus united to their Demeasne , it lodged there untill the Government of Henry the eighth , and then upon the Suppression of the above mentioned Cloister , it was surrendered up with the Remainder of its Revenue , into the Hands of that King , and he in the thirtieth year of his Government , granted it to Mr. John Masters and Mr. Thomas Masters of Sandwich , from whom it is now by Descent devolved to be the Inheritance of his Descendant Richard Masters Esquire .

Apulton and Southwould are two small Mannors , which are seated within the Limits of East-Langdon , and were scarce worth any memorial : but that they were formerly marshalled under the Demeasne of the eminent Family of Male-mains , in whom the possession was seated ; till Henry Malmains , being embarked in the rebellion of Simon de Montfort against Hen. the second , had expiated that Defection with the forfeiture of his Estate , had he not been pardoned and absolved by the Mediation of the Abbot of Langdon , to which Covent in Gratitude , his Son and Heir Sir John Malmains in the sixth year of Edward the third , gave for ever * * Apylton and Southwood I find upon a second Survey lie both in Waldershare . Apylton and Southwould : the last of which , was in the first year of Richard the third , exchanged by the succeeding Abbot , with * * It is probable the Ancestor of Monins purchased Mansuers Langdon of Mansuer a Family in East-Kent . Robert Monins Esquire , for Mansuers Langdon . These three places upon the Suppression of this Abby , were by Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his reign , exchanged with Tho. Arch-B . of Canterbury but were re-assumed by the Crown by another exchange 1 mo . Eliz. though Southwould or Southwood was unjustly snatched away from Edward Monins Esquire , in whose revenue it was found at the dissolution , upon pretence it had been the former demeasne of the Abby of Langdon .

The Borough of Marton or Marton-street so called by Contraction ; but more truely Marshtown , is circumscribed also within the Limits of East-Langdon , and gave Name to a Family , which from the Situation of the place , did borrow their first Appellation and were , in old Registers and other records written de Marisco . And that it was frequent to mould a Sirname from the Site of the place , and after to communicate it to their posterity , as well as from the place it self is most evident ; for Gilbert de Marisco , who was Lord of Wolwich , in the reign of Edw. the first , did assume that Sirname from the Situation of that place , which was environed in a considerable part of it , with moist and watery Mersh-land ; and so from the low level of this Borough , did the Marshes now possessors of this place , or the more principal part of it , by right of Inheritance grown hoary and reverend by a prescription and possession of above three hundred years , as appears by their own private Evidences , in elder Times contract the denomitation of de Marisco ; which in Ages of a more modern Pedigree , was melted by Usage , Custome , and common Consent , into the instant Sirname of Marsh .

Langley in the Hundred of Eyhorne , was in elder times the Inheritance of a Family called Ashway ; Will . de Ashway is by the book styled Testa de Nevil , represented to have held it , and have paid an auxiliary supply for it at the Marriage of Isabel Sister to Henry the third , in the twentieth year of his reign . After this Family was withered and shrunk into decay , the Lords Leybourne were entituled to the Signory of it , and Will . de Clinton Earl of Huntington held it at his death , which was in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 59. in right of his Wife Juliana Sole Heir of Roger de Leybourn Lord of Leybourne Castle ; and she after him likewise was in possession of it at her decease , which was in the forty third year of Edw. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 47. But this after her departure for want of Heirs , either direct or collateral , escheating with a wide and opulent patrimony to the Crown , it made its aboad there untill Rich. the second in the Beginning of his reign , granted it to Sir Simon de Burley , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , and Knight of the Garter ; who being infortunately attainted in the tenth year of Rich. the second , this Mannor by escheat reverts to the Crown , and that Monarch in the eleventh year of his reign , grants the Custody of Langley Park to William Arch-B . of Cant. which his Grand-father K. Edw. the third , had , in the ninth year of his reign , by a special Grant , indulged to Will. Lord Clinton , and Julian his Lady , licensed to be inlarged with 200 Acres of Land ; but the Mannor it self was granted to the Dean and Canons of St. Stephens in Westminster , in the twelsth year of his reign , as appears by an Inquisition taken at that time , Rot. Esc . Num. 159. and amply confirmed in the twenty first year of the abovefaid Prince , as appears , Pat. 1. Memb. 35. Parte tertia , and remained folded up in their revenue , until the general Suppression in the reign of H. the eighth , dislodged the Title and planted it in the Crown ; and then that Prince by a new Concession , made it the demeasn of Leven Buffkin , descended from an ancient Family of that Name in Sussex ; and his Successor in our Fathers memory , passed it away to Nat. Powel Esq ; and he not many years since , demised his Interest in it by Sale , to Sir Edw. Hales Knight and Batonet ; from whom it is now descended to his Grandchild Sir Edw. Hales of Tunstall Baronet .

Brising is another Mannor in Langley , worthy the remembrance , even in this , that it gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that denomination . Sarin de Rising held in the twentieth year of Edw. the third , and paid respective Aid for it , at making the Black Prince Knight .

In times of a more modern Character the Astrys were invested in the possession . And Jo. Astry held it at his decease , as appears by an old Will in the fourth year of Edw. the fourth : of this Family was Ralph Astry , who was Sheriff of London , in the first year of Richard the third ; and likewise William Astry , who dyed seised of it , in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth : but after his Exit , the Title was of no longer date in the Tenure of this Family ; for the Vicissitude of purchase , about the Beginning of Edw. the sixth , brought it from this Name to own the Signory of Leven Buffkin Esq ; one of the Justices of the Peace of this County ; and in his posterity did it reside , until those Times which were of our Fathers Cognisance , and then it was conveyed by Sale to Powel ; from whom , not many years since , the same revolution hath devolved it back into the possession of the instant proprietary Mr. Leven Buffkin .

Lee in the Hundred of Blackheath , in Barbarous old Latine written Laga , was the residence of an ancient generous Family called Bankwell : and there is a place in this parish called Bankers , by Corruption of the Name , , which , in Orthography of more Antiquity and Truth , was written Bankwells ; from whence , certainly , at first issued this Sirname . In the thirty first year of Edward the first , John de Bankwell had a Grant by the King's Charter , to have Free-Warren to all his Lands in Lee , Levesham and Bromley . And in the return of John de Shelving High Sheriff of Kent , in the sixteenth and part of the seventeenth year of Edward the second , of all the Knights and men at Arms in this Connty , William de Bankwell is mentioned in the second degree ; he dyed the twentieth year of Edward the third , and left Thomas Bankwell his Heir ; who in the thirty fifty year of that Prince's Government , deceased possest of Lee , and a very large proportion of other Land in Modingham , Sherfholt ( now , I think , corruptly called Shrawfield ) Littlecroft Bankers , both in Lee , Bromley , Levesham Eltham , Chiselhurst , Detling , Langshot , and Wickham by Bromley ; and left three Sons , according to the Custome of Gavelkind , Heirs to his Inheritance , which were John , William and Robert Bankwell : but upon the distinguishing the Estate into parcels , Lee , Bankers , and Sherfholt , now corruptly called Shrawfield , fell to be the patrimony of John Bankwell , and in this Mans Lineage did the Inheritance of these places divers years reside ; till the Name was circumscribed in a Female Heir , who being wedded to John Arrapon , brought this place to be an adjunct to his Inheritance : And here , I confess , for want of information either from publick or private Record , I am at a losse , and cannot discover , whether by Arrapon it was sold to the Crown , and from the Crown transmitted to Woodvill , or else immediately passed away by sale to Richard Woodvill , Earl River , who enjoyed it : but upon his Son 's untimely death on a Scaffold at Pomfret , being by the malice and subtlety of Richard the third , blasted with an Aspersion of Treason , that fatal Stroke which separated his Head from his Body , divided his Estate here from this Name and Family , and united it by Escheat to the Crown : In whose Revenue it was resident , until King Henry the eighth , ( as is manifest by the original Patent ) granted it to Sir Thomas Wroteley . In times of a more modern Aspect , that is , about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , I find it in the Tenure of Thomas Sackvill Lord Buckhurst ; but how it devolved to him , I confesse , I know not ; and from him it descended to his Grandchild Richard Sackvill Earl of Dorset , who exchanged it with King James ; whose Successor King Charls , sold the Royaltie and Fee-simple of it to Ralph Freeman Lord Maior of London , who gave it in Marriage with his Daughter and Heir to Sir George Sonds of Leeze-Court in Shelvich , Knight of the Bath , who by a Right derived from that Match , is the present Lord of Lee , and its two Appendages Bankers and Shrawfield .

Leeds , Town and Castle , lies in the Hundred of Eyhorne , and were by William the Conquerour in the twentieth year of his Reign ( as appears by the Text of Dooms-day Book ) assigned to Hamon de Crevequer , whom he had constituted one of the Trustees to assist his Cousin John de Fiennes , in the Conservation and Guard of Dover Castle , who chose this for the Capital Seat of his Barony of Crevequer , or decrepito Corde , for so it is rendered in Latin , and of Chetham near Rochester ( for of that place likewise , he and his posterity sometimes writ themselves Barons ) and here erected a stupendous Castle , which because it was environed with Water , was called the Moat . Hamon de Crevequer married Matilda Sole Daughter and Heir of William de Averenches , Baron of Folkstone , and had Issue by her , Robert de Crevequer , who by Disloyalty lost himself , and his Soveraign's Favour . And then this Mannor being seised on by the Crown , King Henry the third , the more to oblige and endear Roger de Leybourn , gave him this Mannor and Castle in exchange for some Lands which he enjoyed at Troscliff , as appears Pat. 52. Hen. tertii : But it seems , either he , or his Successor , quickly re-invested the possession into the Crown , as being a piece of Strength that the Prince began to look upon with Jealousie and Caution : for Edward the second , as is manifest , Pat. 10. Edwardi secundi , granted the Mannor and Castle of Leeds with the Advowson of the Priory , to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer ( who was great Grandchild to Guncelin de Badelesmer , * * Ex per vetusto Rotulo penes Edo . Dering , Militem , & Baronettum defunctum . which Guncelin with his Brother Ralph de Badelesmer , are enrolled in the List of those Kentish Gentlemen who accompanied King Richard the first , to the Siege of Acon ; and Son to * * See the late Printed Book , styled the Vale-Royal of Cheshire published by Mr. King Guncelin de Badelesmer , who was Justice of Chester in the Reign of Edw. the first , an Office eminently considerable , and of much importance in that Age ) in exchange for the Mannor of Addrisley in Shropshire . And the Advouson of the Church , and the Addition of this , swelled both his Estate and Ambition to that heighth , that he must be Master of all the remarkable places in Kent , or else his Sails could not fill : For he had the Barony of Fitz-bernard at Kingsdown , Tong Castle , Chilham Castle , Ridlingswould , and Hothfield . But such a Tempest rose at this place , as utterly overwhelmed him with one Gust . The History is well made up by many Authors ; the Abstract is thus . Queen Isabel , Wife to Edward the second , who had ever been the Nurse of peace , and laboured to accord the King and his Barons , making her progresse towards Canterbury , was disposed to lodge in this Castle , as belonging to the Lord Badelesmer , who had been long King Edward's Steward ; and sending her Marshal to make ready for her and her Train , they who kept the Castle , told him plainly that neither the Queen nor any else , should enter without Letters from their Lord . The Queen her self goes to the Castle , and receives the same Answer : whereupon she is necessitated to take such Lodging otherwhere as could be provided : Of which Indignity she complains to the King , who resented it with so much passion , as instantly with an Army collected in London , he layes Siege to the Castle , carries it , hangs the Castellan Thomas Colepeper , sends the Lady and Children of the Lord Badelesmer to the Tower , and seises upon his Goods and Treasure . He , to revenge this Devastation of his Castle , associates with the Barons , then in Arms , who pretended the Common good and publick Liberty of the People ( they being still that unhappy Vessel which every Tempest shipwracks , but no Calm secures : Or , indeed , being like the Sea , which never swells into Disorder , untill it be breath'd upon by intemperate Winds ; and yet even those very Winds break to pieces those waters which they first raised into Billows and Surges . ) But , to go on ; This Design ( whether the Foundation , on which it was fixt , were crazy and infirme or not , I know not ) was Ruinous to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , and the Barons his Partisans ; for they were defeared by the Forces of King Edward , and amongst the rest this Lord , and the Lord Ashburnham being by their misfortune made prisoners , were put to Death at Canterbury .

Upon this Shipwrack , this Castle reverts to the Crown ; and Arch-bishop Arundell having a mind equivalent to his Birth , gets such a Grant of this Castle , as in many Acts of his , he dates them , At his Castle of Leeds : and you may observe that this would not serve the turn neither , for he was at the same time Constable of the late before builded Castle of Quinborough . But the Estate he had in it determined with him , and then it remained in the Crown , and was reputed one of the Kings Houses , and the Custody was conferred upon some of the principal Gentlemen of Kent , whom the King pro tempore favoured . And it seems it had the Reputation to be a piece of important Strength in the reign of Henry the fourth : for Richard the second , as Fabian in his Chronicle relates fol. 165. was by that Prince sent prisoner to this Castle . In the Raign of Edward the fourth , I find the propriety of it altered ; for that Prince seeking to endear the St. Legers to him , who were then a Family who had a powerfull Influence upon this County , made Ralph St. Leger Esquire , Constable of the Castle of Leeds , and annexed the park too , to his Grant , ( for anciently there belonged two Parks unto it , though both are now clearly disparked and vanished ) but the Fee-simple remained in the Crown , untill Edward the sixth in the fourth year of his Rule , granted it to Anthony St. Leger his Successor , who was Lord Deputy of Ireland , and improved the English Interest in that Province by his Prudence and Magnanimity to that heighth and Advantage that he reduced most of the old Septs of the Irih Nobility , and made them become Feodall to the English Scepter , which could never be accomplished since the first Conquest of Ireland , till his Time ; but his Son Sir Warham St. Leger was the last of the Name , who was proprietary of Leeds-Castle , for he sold it to Sir Richard Smith , who not long after determined in two Daughters and Co-heirs , matched to Sir Timothy Thornhill of Kent , and to Mr. Barrow of Suffolk , who both by mutual Consent did devest themselves of their Interest in it , and by Sale transplanted the Inheritance into Sir Thomas Colepeper now of the Parish of Hollingbourne , who setled it in marriage upon his Son Sir Cheyney Colepeper now Lord of the Fee .

The Priory of Leeds was founded by Robert de Crevequer , soon after the building of the Cattle , and not long after the Conquest , and stored with black Canons , or Canons of St. Augustins , and dedicated to St. Mary and St. Nicholas . The Successors of this Robert de Crevequer were all of them Benefactors . Robert de Crevequer Son of Dan. de Crevequer , who was Son of Rob. de Crevequer the Founder , dedit Terras Canonicis de Leed pro Salute Animae Reg. Hen. secundi qui eum aluit & Militem fecit ( says the Coucher Book . ) There was a goodly Church annexed to this Priorie , parallel to many Cathedrals , whose Glory and Beauty were both blasted when the Priorie above mentioned suffered the Common Calamity of that great Tempest of the Dissolution . This , upon that Suppression , augmenting the Revenue of the Crown continued with it , until K. Edward the sixth in the fourth year of his reign , passed it away by Grant to Sir Anthony St. Leger , whose Son Sir Wartham St. Leger , about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it to Norden , and not long after alienated his right in it to Francis Colepeper Esquire , who not long after disposed of it again by Sale to Norden , in which Family it rested , until the same vicissitude brought it to be the Inheritance of Covert , from which Family hath the Fate of Sale not many years since brought it to be the instant Patrimony of Sir William Merideth .

Leigh in the Lowey of Tunbridge , is sometimes written West-Leigh , and very often West-Leigh alias Pauls : It was , in Ages of a very high Gradation , the Penchester's , and in Dooms-day Book there is mention of * * See more of this Family at Pencehurst . Paul de Penchester , who held Lands here , and at Pencehurst ; and from this Man was it by a continued Series , brought down to Sir Stephen de Penchester , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and Constable of Dover Castle , who exspired in two Daughters and Co-heirs , whereof Joan the eldest , was married to Henry Lord Cobham , of Roundall in Shorn : and Alice the other , was married to John Lord Columbers , as appears by an Inquisition taken in the third year of Edward the third , and she had for her proportion assigned her , the Mannors of West-Leigh and Pencehurst . Sir Thomas de Columbers , was Heir apparent to this John de Columbers , and Alice his Mother ; and he , by his Deed bearing Date from the eleventh year of Edward the third passed away all his Interest in this place , to Sir John de Poultney Lord Maior of London , and he died possest of it , in the twenty third year of Edward the third , immediately after , I find Sir Nicholas Lovain , Son of Guy Lovain , interessed in the possession : but whether it was by Marriage of Margaret , Widow of Sir John Poultney , or by purchase , I cannot discover ; and he had Issue Nicholas Lovain , who held it as Heir to his Father , as appears by an Inquisition taken after his Deeease , in the forty fourth year of Edward the third : but this Nicholas dying without Issue , Margaret Lovain his Sister , became his Heir , who brought it to her Husband Philip St. Clere of Aldham St. Clere , Son of John St. Clere : and they by joint Concurrence , by their Deed of Sale , bearing Date the tenth year of Henry the fourth , passed it away to the Crown ; and that Prince bequeathed this Mannor of West-Leigh , with several other Lands to John Duke of Bedford his third Son , after Lord Regent in the minority of Henry the sixth ; but , he deceasing and leaving no Issue , it came to Humphrey Duke of Glocester his fourth Brother , who being strangled by the procurement of William De la pole Duke of Suffolk in the Abbey of Bury , and dying without any Posterity , King Henry the sixth in the twenty fifth year of his Rule , granted this Mannor being an Adjunct to Pencehurst , to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham , Ancestor to Edward Stafford , who being attainted of high Treason , in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , lost both his Life , Title , and Estate ; and then it was granted by that Prince , to Sir Rafe Vane , who was made Banneret by that Prince for his remarkable Service in Scotland : but he being unsuccessefully wound up , in the Businesse of the Duke of Somerset , in the fourth year of Edward the sixth , was executed as guilty of Felony , upon whose ruinous Catastrophe , this Mannor by Escheat returning to the Crown it was in the seventh year of Edward the sixth , granted to Sir William Sydney , a person of deep Knowledge , and unblemished Integrity , great Grand-father to Robert now Earl of Leicester , and Proprietary of West-Leigh .

There is another Mannor in this Parish called Philipotts , which yielded a Sirname to a Family so styled , and in a Deed which bears Date from the twenty eighth year of Edward the first , whereby one John de Philipott , does demise some parcels of Land , to Robert Charles Bailiff of the Forest of Tunbridge , he writes himself de Philipotts in Leigh : but as all things have their Revolution , which gives either their own Ruines or Oblivion to them for a Sepulchre ; so it was here : For after this place had for some Hundreds of years been wrapt up in the Inheritance of this Family , it at last came down to Thomas Philipott , whose Daughter and Heir Alice , was married to John Petley Esquire , and so Philipotts fell under the Signiory of that Family : but long it continued not there , for this man determined in four Daughters and Coheirs , one of whom matching with Children , a Family so called , interwove it with his Demeasne ; in which Name , after it had for some years been fixed , it was not long since by the Daughter and Heir of this Name , brought to be the Inheritance of Polhill .

Lenham in the Hundred of Eyhorne , is that place , which Mr. Camden and Mr. Lambert conelude , was Durolenum , a City of the Romans , mentioned by Antonius in his Itinerarium ; though others would have it to be about Newington , by Sedingbourn : But finding the consulary way , went through this place ; and Roman Coine found many Times nere the Fosse and Surface of that way : and that the high Road called Watling-street , continued in the Line of the former , till Rochester Bridge was built of stone ; and all that have written of that way , do agree that it went through the middle of Kent : I will not further dispute it , but acquaint you that the Composition of the Name was from Dore , Water in the British , and Lenum which the Romans formed from some such sounding Name in the British Dialect , and it is the more probable , because from hence is a direct way to Limen , the Romans Haven nere Hyth .

The Soile and Signiory , were given to the Abby of St. Anstins by K. Kenwulf under the Notion of one and twenty Plough-lands in the year 804 , and upon the Dissolution was united to the Crown , till Queen Elizabeth , passed it away by Grant to Tho. Wilford Esquire , whose Son Sir Tho. Wilford conveyed it by Sale not many years since to Anthory Brown Viscount Montacute .

East-Lenham was long time since , the Seat of the Husseys , of whom I have spoken before in Boughton Malherbe . Henry Hussey had a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at East-Lenham , Chilston , and Stourmouth , in the fifty fifth of Henry the third ; and from this Man , did thethread of a continued Descent waft it along to Henry Hussey , who about the twenty sixth year of Henry the eighth , alienated the Possession to Mr. John Parkhurst , descended from an ancient Family so called in Norfolke , ( one of which Name was Bishop of Norwich , in the year 1560 , ) Ancestor to that ingenious Gentleman Sir William Parkhurst who has lately by Sale transmitted his Right in this Mansion to Mr. Wood of London Merchant .

Royton in this Parish , had very good Gentlemen so styled , who were no small space possessed of it , and had a Free Chappel founded by Robert de Royton , about the latter end of Henry the third , from whence it borrowed the Name of Royton Chappel , it being annexed to this mansion . The Daughter and Heir of Royton was wedded to James Driland of Davington , and so this place became appropriated to the Interest of that Family ; but shortly after , Constance Daughter and Heir of this man , married Walsingham of Chiselhurst , whose Son James Walsingham , passed it away by Sale to Robert Atwater of Putwood in Otteringden ; and he not long after concluding likewise in a Daughter and Heir called Mary , she by her Marriage with Robert Honywood Esquire , a younger Branch of the Honywoods of Elmsted , knit this Place to the Patrimony of that Family ; and Robert Honywood this Mans Son gave it in Dower with his Daughter to Thomson , descended from the Thomsons of Petham .

There are two other Mannors in Lenham of Signal Estimate ; the First is West-Shelve , written likewise Middle-Shelve ; it was parcel of the Estate of Bertram de Criol , and by Joan his Daughter and Heir was linked to the Revenue of her Husband Sir Richard de Rokesley , from whom the Fate of Female Interest devolved it on Thomas de Poynings ; and to this Family was it for many ages fastned , till Sir Edw. Poynings , extracted lineally from this Man , in the fourteenth year of Hen. the eighth , was found to have died both without lawful Issue , and without Alliance : and so this Name being both in the direct and collateral Line extinguished , the Crown laid claim to this Mannor as de Jure escheated ; and in the seventeenth year of his Government , Henry the eighth granted it to John Mills , where after the possession had for some Time continued , it was by Purchase brought into the Inheritance of Darel , by whose Female Heir it is now brought to own the Signorie of Wilkinson .

Shelve Cobham is another Mannor in Lenham which in elder Times was folded up in the Inheritance of the Lords * * See more of this Family at Roundall in Shorne . Cobham of Sterborough Castle ; of which Family was Richard de Cobham made Knight Banneret by Edward the third , as appears , Pat. 15. Edw. tertii Parte secunda Memb. 22. and having continued many Descents , constant to the Interest of this Family , it did at last devolve to Thomas Lord Cobham of Sterborough , who dying in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth , without Issue Male ; Ann his only Daughter and Heir , brought it to be parcel of the Patrimony of Edward Lord Borough of Gainsborough ; from whom the Propriety of it did flow down to his Grand-child Thomas Lord Borough , who conveyed it by Sale to Mr. John Pekenham , in the twenty fifth year of Q. Elizabeth , and he was possest of it , but untill the thirty fifth year of that Princesse ; and then an Alteration like the former , made it the Demeasn of Boteler , in which Name after it had remained , until the fifth of K. Charles , it was alienated by Sale to Sir John Melton , whose Son John Melton Esquire , hath lately conveyed it to Mr Salomon Adye .

Sindall is the last place of Account , in this Parish of Lenham ; which as appears by the Evidences of this place , was , in the Raign of King John , and Henry the third , the Inheritance of a Family of that Sirname , and as appears by some old Rolls and Armorials were Gentlemen of prime Note in this Track , but continued not long owners of this Mansion ; for in the twenty third year of Edw. the third , I find it in the Hands of Fulk de Peyforer , and in this Family did it fix , until the latter end of Edward the third ; and then it was passed away to Henman , in which Name the Interest of this Place , from the fiftieth year of the above Prince , by a derivation of several Descents , until this present year 1658 , hath been successively resident .

Leveland in the Hundred of Feversham , gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination ; for I find that Giles de Badelesmer of Badelesmer not far distant , was pardoned by Hen. the third , for matching with Margaret de Leveland the Heir of this Place , without the Kings especial License , as is manifest , Pat. 40. Hen. 3. Memb. 8. But he deceasing before her , she was remarried to Fulk de Peyferor , who in her Right , died possest of this place , in the fifth year of Edward the first : but she had no Issue by neither of these two eminent persons ; so that Rafe de Leveland was her next Heir , who had the Custody of the Palace of Westminster , and the Fleet ; and after his Deeease , Stephen de Leveland held both these places as his Brother and Heir ; This Stephen had a Daughter and Heir called Joan , first wedded to John Shench , and secondly , to Edward de Cheyney , who in her Right had the Custody of the Fleet and Palace of Westminster : But John Shench was her Son and Heir , who by a Right derived to him by Descent and Succession , held both the Fleet and Westminster , and was in the Possession both of them and Leveland , at his Decease ; as an Inquisition taken after his Death , in the twenty third year of Edward the third does signifie , and left Margaret his Daughter Heir not onely to his Estate at Leveland ; but likewise to those Offices of Trust , which it seems were in those Times hereditary , and usually lincked together : But this Family of Shench , was not so entirely invested in the Signory of Leveland , but that a considerable Proportion of it augmented the Patrimony of Northwood ; for Robert de Northwood , held an Estate here at his Death , which was in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 70. and so did Richard de Northwood , and Thomas Brother of the said Richard , as appears by an Inquisition taken in the thirty fifth of the abovesaid Monarch , Rot. Esc . Num. 13. Parte secunda . But before the latter end of Edw. the third , both these Families had offered up their joynt Interest here to Richard Lord Poynings , and he died possen of it , in the twelfth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 148. and left his interest here , to be enjoyed by his Kinsman Robert Poynings ; from whom an uninterrupted Line of Descent , brought it down to Sir Edward Poynings , who died in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , and there being none , after a serious Inquisition taken in the fourteenth year of that Prince , who could establish any Claim or pretence , either in respect of any direct or collateral Affinity to his Estate , the Crown by Escheat was entituled to this Mannor : and here the Propriety was lodged , until King Henry the eighth , before mentioned granted it to Sir Robert Southwell , who in the second year of Edward the sixth , conveyed it to Sir Anthony Aucher ; and he not long after passed it away to Sir Anthony Sonds great Grandfather to Sir George Sonds Knight of the Bath , now instant Lord of the Signory of it .

Lewsham in the Hundred of Blackheath , was a Mannor which belonged to the Priory which was erected here ; but who was the Founder is unknown . Onely thus we find that King Henry the third , by a new Inspection confirmed it , with all the Franchises and Immunities annexed to it , as appears Cart. 13. Hen. tertii Memb. 9. It was , when it flourished most , but a Cell of Benedictin Monks belonging to Saint Peters in Gaunt , and paid to them 40 s. per Annum , as a Rent-Service ; as appears , Rot. Esc . An. 12. Ric. secundi N. 72. And so continued , till King Henry the fifth , perceiving the ill Effects and impressions , which the Influence of Priories-Aliens , and their Fraternities , might cause upon those Religious persons , who were his Subjects , who were altogether chained by a Connexion of Canonical Obedience to them , suppressed this and sundry others of the like Nature , and with their Revenue endowed that stately Monastery , which he erected at Shene , storing it with Carthusian Monks , and dedicating it to the Name of Jesus of Bethlem : and in the Patrimony of this Cloister did this Mannor lie included , till the total Dissolution in that general Shipwrack in the Rule of Henry the eighth , and then it returned to the Crown ; and there was lodged , till Queen Elizabeth , in the fifth year of her Government , granted it to Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick , who soon after exchanged it for other Lands with the said Princess ; and she in the year 1575 , granted it in Lease for a space of forty years to Sir Nicholas Stodard of Modingham , which expiring in the year 1605 , King James passed it away in Lease for forty years more to Sir Francis Knolls , and the Fee-simple in Reversion to John Ramsey Earl of Holderness ; who dying before the Expiration of the Lease , gave it to his Brother Sir George Ramsey , whose Son John Ramsey , when the former Lease was worn out , which was about the year 1645 , sold the Fee-simple to Mr. Reginald Grime .

Catford in this Parish , was formerly a Mannor which anciently was involved in the Inheritance of the Abels of Hering-Hill in Eri●h ; and John Abel had a Charter of Free Warren to this , and other of his Lands in Lewsham , in the twenty third year of Edward the first , and after this Family was worn out , the Lords Mountacute were Lords of the Signory , and Fee-simple of it , for William de Mountacute Earl of Salisbury ; obtained by Charter a Confirmation of Free Warren to this Mannor of his of Catford , in the fifth year of Edward the third ; and in this noble Family did the Possession dwell , till Richard de Nevil married Eleanor Daughter and Heir of Thomas de Mountacute Earl of Salisbury , and in her Right had the Title of that Earldome , and the Possession of this Place enstated upon him , and divers of the Windows of the most ancient Houses in Lewsham are stained and coloured with his Armes . This was that Rich. who gave up his Life to the Cause and Quarrel of the House of York , and with Richard Duke of York most resolutely asserting the Truth and Justice of their Title to the Crown perished in the fatal and infortunate Battle commenced with the Partisans of the Lancastrian Claim between Sandall and Wakefield , and afterwards his Son Richard Earl of Warwick ( he that broke and piec'd up the Scepter as he pleased ) and his younger Son John Nevil created Marquess Montacute by Edward the fourth , in the year 1470 , fell in that dysastrous Encounter waged with Edward the fourth at Barnet ; upon whose Ruines and Tombs he built his Throne , and with their Blood coemented the Fabrick of his future Greatness : But whether upon the Shipwrack of this Family , it came by Escheat to the Crown ; or else to George , Duke of Clarence , second Brother to Edw. the fourth , who espoused Isabel Daughter and Coheir of Richard E. of Warwick is incertain , though it is probable it did , because in a Great House of Mr. Streets at Lewsham , the Armes of the Duke of Clarence , stand empal'd with Nevil . In Times of a more modern Aspect , Catford was the Polsteds , a Family of very deep Antiquity in Surrey ; for Hugh de Polsted gave Lands called Inwood by his Deed dated the sixteenth year of King John , to the Abby of Waversley in that County ; but whether this place came to them , or not , by Grant from the Crown , or by Purchase from some other , I am ignorant ; 't is certain that Francis Polsted , Cousin and Heir to Richard Polsted , sold Catford to Brian Annesley Esquire , in Reversion after the Decease of Elizabeth Wife of John Wolley , and Widdow of the said Richard , in the twentieth year of Queen Eliz. And He afterwards dying without Issue Male , his two Daughters married to Sir William Harvey after Lord Harvey of Kidbrook in Kent , and Sir John Wildgoose , shar'd the Inheritance of this Place .

There were two Chantreys founded at Lewsham . One by Rich. Walker , for one priest to celebrate Mass at the Altar of the Trinity for the Founder's Soul : The other by Roger Fitz , who by the Appointment of his last Will , the seventeenth of Henry the seventh , devised that his two Houses the Lion and the Ram in the Stews on the Banck-side near London , should be sold to build the Chantry House , and indow it with maintenance for one Priest to celebrate at the Altar of the Trinity in Lewsham Church for the Founder's Soul .

Leybourne in the Hundred of Larkfield , was the ancient Demeasn of the Lords Leybourne , who erected here a Castle esteemed a strong Pile in our Ancestors Dayes : however the Ruines and Raggs of it at present appear mean and despicable , yet it hath by several Gradations sunk into this Condition . The first of which Family which I find to be eminent , was , * * Ex veteri Rot. penes Edw. Dering Militem & Baronettum desunctum . Roger de Leybourne who is enrolled in the Catalogue of those Kentish Knights , who accompanied Richard the first to the Siege of Acon , and another Roger de Leybourne is in the Roll of this Kentish Gentlemen , who assisted Henry the third , in his Expedition into Gascony , in the thirty seventh year of his Raign , and afterwards was a principal Partisan of Simon de Montforts in his Emotions and rude Essorts against his Scepter and Government ; for which he was pardoned by the Act of Amnestia , or Pacification of that Prince , made in the fiftieth year of his Raign at Killingworth , and this is that Roger which slew Ernulphus de Monteney , at a meeting of the round Table , in the thirty sixth year of Henry the sixth , and was the Husband of Eleanor Countess of Winchester . Sir Henry and Sir Simon de Leybourne are recorded in the List of those Kentish Gentlemen , who assisted the Edward the first , in his Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland , in the twenty eighth year of his Reign ; and for their signal Service performed in that Expedition were dignified with the Order of Knighthood . William de Leybourne one of this Family , was frequently summon'd to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the Raign of Edward the first , and by that Title subscribes in that memorable Letter , which the abovesaid Prince and all the English Peerage wrote to the Pope , in the year of Grace 1301 , that is , in the twenty ninth of Edward the first 's Government , to justifie those Grounds on which the war was then commenced against the Scots ; and this William was Son of Roger de Leybourne , which Roger was Sheriff of Kent , the forty eighth and fiftieth of Henry the third . The last of this Family was Roger de Leybourne , who transmitted this Castle and Mannor to his Sole Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourne , first matched to Jo. de Hastings , and secondly , to William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon , by both which Husbands She had no Issue : so that dying in the forty third year of Edward the third , after all Titles were winnowed by a serious Inquisition , there was none discovered that could by a pretended Claim either of direct or collateral Alliance challenge her Estate . So that her Patrimony here lapsed by Escheat to the Crown , after which , K. Richard the second by patent , in the ninth year of his Raign , Part. prima , Memb. 26. grants it to Sir Simon Burleigh Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports : but , he being shortly after attainted with the Cuilt of High Treason , and his Estate confiscated , this Mannor and Castle reverts to the Demeasne of the Crown ; and the same King Richard , in the twelfth year of his Raign , grants it to the Abby of Grace upon Tower-Hill , and in their Revenue it continued shut up till the Dissolution of this Covent , and then King Henery the eighth , about the thirty seventh year of his Raign , granted it to Sir Edward North , who not long after alienated it to Robert Gosnold : and he in the second year of Q. Elizabeth , gave it to Robert Godden , who some few years after , by Sale passed it away to Nicholas Lewson Esq ; of Whorns-Place in Cuckston , whose Grandchild Sir Richard Lewson , affecting more to live in Stafford-shire , alienated his Kentish Lands : amongst which , this was sold to Henry Clerke Serjeant at Law , and Recorder of Rochester , who being lately deceased , his Son and Heir Francis Clerke Esquire , enjoys the Profits and Possession of it , of whose Family I have spoke at Frensbury , and shall speak more at Ulcombe .

The Grange in this Parish , is the Mansion of Mr. Robert Oliver ; and hath been for sundry Descents , resident in that Name , though the Original Sirname be Quintin . They being Descended from Anselinus or Anselmus de Quintin , that paid respective Aid for the Mannor of Woodfold in Yalding , in the twentyeth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight . Now if you will know how the Name of Quintin resolved into that of Oliver , I shall inform you . William Quintin Purchased Lands in Seal called Hilks , the eleventh of February , and in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth , and in the Deed of Purchase , he is often called Filius Oliveri , without the Addition of Quintin , and so by vulgar acceptation , and inadvertency , they came by common mistake to be called Oliver ; yet in all Deeds and other Escripts , to preserve their Ancient and Original Denomination , they write Oliver , alias Quintin .

Lidde , in old Saxon Records is written Hlida , which certainly was derived from the Latine word Litus ; it importing as much in that Dialect , likewise , as the Shore , and the Situation of the place , being not far distant from the Sea ; does seem to abett the Etymologie . It is Situated in the Hundred of Langport , which extracts its Name from a Mannor in this Parish , called Old Langport , which was the Possession of a Family whose Sirname was Ikin . And John Ikin I find by an Inquisition taken in the thirty second year of Edward the third , was at his Death , which was then , possest of it . After Ikin , a good old Family called Hund , were Lords of the Inheritance ; and Sir John Hund who lies buried in the Church of Lidde , lived here in the Raign of Henry the sixth . From this Family it by Sale passed away to Belknap ; in , which Name the Possession had not been long resident , for Sir Edward Belknap Son to Sir Henry Belknap , who Purchased this place , died without Issue , and so his three Sistrs Anne , Elizabeth , and Alice , became his three Co-heirs , who married to Sir Edward Wotton , Sir Philip Cooke of Giddy-Hall , and Sir William Shelley of Michaelgrove in Sussex , who sold his proportionable Share in this Mannor to Dannett , and from Wotton and Dannett , two parts of it were afterwards conveyed away by Sale to Godfrey , and the third was alienated by Cooke , to Sir Christoph . Man of Canterbury .

New-Langport , called likewise Langport Septuans , was for many Descents the Patrimony of that Noble Family . Robert de Septuans held it at his Death , which was in the thirty third year of Henry the third , and after him his Grandchild William Septuans or de Septemvannis , was possest of it in the twenty fifth year of Edward the third , and so remained by the links of some Descents fastned to the Inheritance of this Family , till William Septuans this mans great Grandchild , by Sale translated his Right in it to John Writtle , about the Beginning of Henry the sixth : where after the Possession had some years settled , it was by Sale supplanted , and Seated in Henry Fettiplace , of Beselslith , in the County of Oxford ; where after it had for many years been fixed , it was at length sold from this Family , to James . But here it had a very short abode , for Thomas James falling under a praemunire , in the sixth year of the Raign of King James , forfeited it to the Crown , and that Prince the next year after , passed it away to John Lord Haddington ; and he not long after , to discharge some Debts in which he was engaged to Mr. Edward Cropley of London , passed it over to him for his Satisfaction and re-imbursment .

Jacks , alias Jaques-Court in this Parish , was the Demeasne of Echingham , a Family of principal Note in Sussex , where they were , Jure Nativo , Seneschalls of the Rape of Hastings , and of a proportionate Revenue at Echingham in that County . The first that I find of note in this place , was William de Echingham , who paid respective Aid , in the twentyeth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight , for Lands which he held here , and in Welland-Mersh , by the fourth part of a Knights Fee ; and in this Family did it for sundry Ages reside , and was productive of men that were very usefull and subservient to the Interest of their Country , whereof William Echingham , Son of the former William , was one of the Conservators of the Peace , for the County of Sussex , in the first year of Richard the second , and died possest of this place , in the fifteenth year of that Prince : But at length the Distaff prevailed against the Speare ; for this Family concluded in a Female Heir ; for Thomas Echingham dying without Issue-male , Margaret his only Daughter was married to Walter Blount , who had by her Jacks-Court , which he left to his Son Edw. Blount Lord Montjoy : but he at his Decease leaving no Issue , the Inheritance of this place , came to Elizabeth his Sister and Heir , married to Sir Andrew Windsor , afterwards created Lord Windsor by Henry the eighth , who alienated this Mansion to Clache , by whose Daughter and Heir , it came to be the Possession of Stringer ; and he ending likewise in a Female Heir , she brought it to Scot , a Cadet of Scots-Hall ; who suddenly after sold his Right in it to Wilcocks , by whose two Daughters and Coheirs , in the Memory of these Times , it came to be divided between their two Husbands Bates , and Knight .

The Mannor of Belgar or Belgrave is Situated likewise in Lidde , it was given with the Mannor of Bilsington , to the Priorie of Bilsington , by John Maunsell the Founder of it ; and was exchanged by the Abbot and Canons for other Lands , not long before the Suppression , with William St. Leger , by whom it was alienated to William Middleton , and Edward Arthur , who after they had been some small time Seated in their new Acquists , by jont-consent passed away their Right in it to Sherley of Sussex , who in our Fathers Memorie , by Sale transferred the Inheritance to Abdy , descended from the Abdys of Abdy-House in the Parish of Waith in Yorke-shire , whose Heir both to the Name and Belgar also , is Sir Christopher Abdy , a person who for his generall Knowledge , may be called without the circumstance of Flatterie , an Exchequer of humane Learning .

Scotney was the Seat of a Family so called ; for in the ( Book of Aid ) there is a recitall of one Richard de Scotney , who held Lands in the Mersh not far distant : afterwards it came to the Ashburnhams of Sussex , but whether by Purchase , or by Marriage of the Heir of Scotney , is incertain ; though I rather believe it devolved to them by Marriage , because Scotney in Lamberhurst , divided by a remote distance from this place , was likewise theirs ; from Roger Ashburnham it came to Henry Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and he by Gift tied it to his Foundation of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford , to whose Revenue it remains at this instant time united .

Nod in this Parish of Lidde , was for sundry Ages the Residence of the Derings , before they were transplanted to Pluckley , and here are Lands Situated within the Verge of this Parish , which by an undivided prescription of many Ages have been named Derings ; and Derings-Mersh , ( a certain Evidence to enforce the Antiquity of this Family . ) But when they grew more delighted with the Situation of Pluckley than this place , it was by ........ Dering , in the fourth year of Philip and Mary , alienated to Mr. Peter Godfrey of Lidde , and Surrenden was tyed for his peaceable Possession in it .

Lastly , here is Manerium Summi Altaris , so it is written in old Latine Deeds , or the Mannor of the high Altar , which for many Hundreds of years has been united to the Vicarage : But whether it were given to find Vestments for the Priest to Offociate in at the high Altar , or for a supply of wax Tapers , or for provision of Books to celebrate Mass with , or lastly , for all these Uses , united and complicated together , I know not , because the original Instrument which fortified the Donation is lost , and so both the Use and Doner are become incertain .

There was a Water in Lidde called Guestling , whose Course the Prior of Christ-Church did , by an Inquisition taken in the ninth year of Edward the second , consult how to alter .

If you will discover what price was set on Timber , in elder times , an old Epitaph affixed to a Tomb-stone in Lidde Church , will represent it to you . The Inscription Recorded in old English speaks thus . Of your Charity pray for the Soul of Tho. Briggs , who died on the Feast of St. Leonard the Confessor , the year of our Lord , 1442. and did doe make the Roffe of this Chirch , as far as 45. Copplings goeth , which did cost 45. Marks .

Lidden in the Hundreds of Folkstone and Bewsborough , was a Mannor which in elder Times made up that vast Patrimony which related to the Knights Templers in this County : but upon the totall Extirpation of that Order here in England , in the Raign of Edward the second , it was by the Statute called Statutum de Terris Templariorum , made in the seventeenth year of that Prince's Government , settled by that solemne Act upon the Knights Hospitalers , and remained treasured up in their Revenue , untill the Disbanding and finall Dissipation of this Order in this Nation , by Henry the eighth . And then being by that Prince rent away , it was in the thirty sixth year of the same Prince , granted to John Wilde Esq ; for Life onely , and the Remainder in Fee , to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and his Successors for ever ; in whose Patrimony according to the tenour of the original Concession , it lay involved untill that popular Tempest which arose in these Calamitous Times , shook it off , and cast it into a secular Interest .

Coclescombe , and Swinkfield-Mennes , were of the same Complexion with the former , that is , they were first enwrapped in the Demeasne of the Knights Templers , and afterwards supplanted , and fastned to the Revenue of the Knights Hospitalers , to whose Interest it continued firme , untill the Whirl-wind of the publique Suppression in the Raign of Henry the eighth , ravished them away ; and then that Prince in the thirty third year of his Raign , by Royall Concession , made them the Inheritance of Edward Monins Esq ; from whom , by Successive Devolution , they are now come down to his Descendant Sir Edward Monins of Waldershare , Baronet .

Swanton-Court is the last Place in this Parish , which Summons our Remembrance . It was ( as appears by private Deeds , Muniments , and other Authentick Testimonies ) the Seat and Habitation for severall Descents of a Family deeply rooted in this Track , whose Sirname was Greenford , and it is possible were originally extracted from a Mannor known by that Denomination in Middlesex : who after they had flourished by a large Decursion of Time , under a fair and unstained Estimate at this place , transmitted the Proprietie of this Mansion to John Greenford Esquire , in whom this Family found its Tombe and Period : for he dying without Issue-male , in the eleventh year of Edward the fourth , Alice his Sole Daughter became his Heir , and She by matching with John Monins Esquire , linked this Seat to his Inheritance , and to this Family , and to his Descendants hath the Title ever since been so constantly wedded , that it hath suffered no Divorce , but remains at this instant united to the Patrimony of Sir Edw. Monins of Waldershare , Baronet .

Lyminge lies in the Hundred of Court-At-Street , and was anciently Famous for Land which was given here , by Edbaldus , Son of Ethelbert King Kent , to his Sister Edburga , upon which she erected a Nunnery , and Dedicated it to the Honour of St. Mildred : But the Mannor which belonged to it , was upon the Suppression , granted by Henry the eighth to the See of Canterbury : and Arch-Bishop Cranmer in the twenty ninth of that Prince's Government , exchanged it for other Lands with the Crown : and the above-said Henry the eighth , in the thirty sixth year of his Raign , granted it to Sir Anthony Aucher , who after , in the Rule of Queen Mary , was slain at Callis , whilst he endevoured to make good that City , and the English Interest together , by a noble and generous Resistance against the Furious Impressions and Onsets of the Duke of Guise , and the French Army , who then pressed upon it with a straight and vigorous Seige . But to go on : after this Place had continued in the Name , since the time of the first Concession , even till ours , it was lately by Sir Anthony Aucher of Bourne , sold to Sir John Roberts of Canterbury .

East-Leigh was the Mansion of a Family which took their Denomination from hence ; and there is mention in the Book of Aid , of William de Leigh , and Robert de Leigh , who held Land of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , by Knights Service in the twentieth of Edward the third : when this Family was vanished , and had deserted the Possession of this place , which was about the Beginning of Edward the fourth ; the Allens , who came from Borden and Sedingbourne , were ingrafted into the Inheritance , but enjoyed it not long : for in the Age subsequent to the first Purchase , it was alienated to Fogge , who by as short and sudden a Vicissitude , disposed of his Right in it to Cobbe of Cobbes-court , not far distant , in which Family the Title was as brief , and as incertain , as in any of the former ; for by them , after a Possession of some few years it was alienated to Salkeld descended originally from the Salkelds of the North-riding in York-shire and Bishoprick of Durham .

Sibeton vulgarly called Sibton and Sifton , is another Mannor which is contained within Lyminge . It was , of higher Calculation , the Patrimony of Tibetot , a Family of no mean Account , both in the Counties of Leicester and Nottingham . And Robert Tibetot was possest of it at his Death , which was in the seventeenth year of Edward the third : but after this Man , I find no farther Remembrance of any of his Stock or Posterity at this place , so that it seems his Son sold it to Walter Leigh , or at Leigh of East-Leigh in this Parish , who was likewise concerned in an Estate in Hertfordshire , where he was conservator of the Peace , in the first year of Richard the second , and in this Family did it reside many years after : For Tho. Leigh held it in Possession at his Decease , which was in the seventeenth year of Henry the sixth : but after his Death it was passed away to Allen , where the Inheritance stayed not long ; for from them it went away by Sale into the Patrimony of Sir Jo. Hales , who was Baron of the Exchequer in the raign of Henry the eighth , whose Posterity an Age or two since alienated their Interest here to Salkeld .

Limne in the Hundred of Street , in ancient Records written Limen , is improved into a high Estimate , from those many reliques and places of Antiquity , which lie scattered within the Limitts of it . And though now it carry with it an uncouth and desolate Aspect , yet it was more flourishing in elder Times , when Prince Edward Son to King Henry the third , ( being then Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports ) at this place exacted an Oath of Fidelity of the Barons of the same , to his Father , against the Maintainers of the Barons War . And at this Place , or some other member of the Franchise , to which the Court is adjourned from Shepway , the Limenarcha or Lord Warden , receiveth his Oath , at his first Entry into his Office .

Berewick in this Parish , was , upon the Suppression of the Priory of Christ-church by King Henry the eighth , re-enstated on the Arch-deacon of Canterbury , who had here a Castellated Mansion , long before that tempestuous Dissolution , seated upon the Brow of a Hill , and affording a delightful Prospect into France . The Pages of Dooms-day Book , represent it thus rated to us , in the twentieth of William the Conquerour . In Limwarled in Hundred de Strate , habet Willielmus de Edesham de terra Monachorum , 1 Manerium Berwick de Archiepiscopo , quod tenuit Godridus Decanus , & pro Dimidio Sullingi se defendebat , & nunc similiter , & est appretiatum XI . lb.

Court at Street celebrates the Memory of the noble Family of Hadloe or Haudloe , who as is manifest by ancient Records , were , in Times of a very high Ascent , Lords of this Mannor . * * Nicholas de Hadloe is in the Rol of those Kentish Worthies who accompanied Richard the first to the Siege of Acon . Nicholas de Hadloe , had a Charter of Free-warren to all his Lands in Kent , and the Grant of a market weekly , and a Fair yearly to his Mannor of Court at Street in the forty first year of Henry the third . John de Hadloe is in the Register of those Kentish Knights , who accompanied Edward the first into Scotland ; and , for his remarkable Service at the Seige of Carlaverock , was made Knight and Banneret by that Prince , in the twenty eighth year of his Raign . In the tenth year of Edward the second , a Licence or Patent was granted to John de Hadloe , and Mawd his Wife , to fortifie and embattle diverse Castles and Mannors in which this was couched . In the first year of Edward the third , he was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , and left this Mansion thus solemnly ennobled to Nicholas de Hadloe , in whom the Male-line expired , so that Alice one of his Daughters and Coheirs , upon the Partition of the Estate , brought this to be the Patrimony of John Colvill , and he in her Right held it at his Decease in the seventeenth year of R. 2 d. as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 9. And from him did an uninterrupted Clew of paternal Succession , transport it to Edward Colvill Esquire , who in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth , alienated it by Sale to Edward Thwaits Esquire ; and from him it did descend to Edward Thwaits , who in the eleventh year of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it by Sale to Edward Jackman , and in this Family did it reside , until that Time which fell within the Circle of our Fathers Remembrance ; and then it was passed away to Sir William Hewett , who upon his Decease by Testament , setled it upon his third Son the instant Possessor Mr. Will . Hewet .

Bellaview , Otterpoole , and the Appendant Mannor of Wellop , are all circumscribed , within the Verge of Limne . The first of which , was both an eminent and ancient Seat of the Criolls , before they translated themselves to Ostenhanger , by matching with the Heir of Auberville ; and the two last were wrapped up in that Revenue , which was as an Appendage both to support and enhaunce , the Grandeur of it , and went collectively together with Joan Daughter and Heir of Bertram de Crioll , to Richard de Rokesley , in the twenty third year of Edward the first , and remained with this Family , but untill the next Age ; and the same Vicissitude carried them off , by Joan his Sole Inheritrix , to Thomas de Poynings , in which Name the Propriety resided untill the twelfth year of Henry the eighth ; and then they devolved by Successive Descent to Sir Edw. Poynings : but he dying without any legitimate Issue , and there being none of his Alliance , that could by any collateral Affinity , pretend any visible or manifest Title to the Estate , it devolved by escheat , in the fourteenth year of that Prince , to the Crown , from which Bellavieu was again suddenly granted away to Rich. Bernys Esq ; and he not long after disposed of it by Sale to Tho. Wombwell of Northfleet , who in the twenty fifth year of Henry the eighth , conveyed it to Peter Heyman Esquire , from whom , not long after , it went away to Bedingfield , descended from Gentlemen of a deep and ancient extraction in the County of Suffolk ; and in this Family did it fixe , untill the Custome of Gavelkind having broken and split this Mannor into several parcels , and so made it the Inheritance of several Brothers , they by a joint Concurrence , alienated their collective Interest in it to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet , Grandfather to Mr. Edward Hales , who now enjoyes the Fee-simple of it .

Otterpoole continued in the Crown , untill the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth , and then it was invested by Grant in Sir James Hales , from which Family about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , it came over by Sale to Thomas Smith Esquire , commonly called Customer Smith , Ancestor to the right honorable Philip Viscount Strangford , the instant Lord of the Fee .

Wellop another parcel of the escheated Demeasne of Poynings , though it were granted in Lease to Knatchbull , and others , yet the Fee-simple still lodged in the Crown , untill K. Charles passed it away to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet , from whom it is now by Descent devolved to his Grandchild Sir Edward Hales of Tunstall .

Lingsted lies in the Hundred of Tenham , and hath two places in it , of emiminent Reputation . The first is Bedmancore , which was in Times of a very high Ascent , wrapped up in the Patrimony of Cheyney , of whom I shall speak more at Patricksbourn Cheyney their principal Seat ; the last of which Family that held it was William de Cheyney , who dyed possest of it , in the eighth year of Edward the third , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 58. But after his Decease it was not long resident in this Name ; for in the twenty seventh year of the abovesaid Prince , I find it in the Tenure of William de Apulderfield , of whose Family take this compendious prospect . He was descended from * * Ex veteri Rot. penes Edo . Dering Mil. & Baronettum desunctum . Henry de Apulderfield , of Apulderfield in Coudham , who with his Son Henry , are inserted in the Catalogue of those eminent Kentish Gentlemen who were engaged with Richard the first , at the Siege of Acon in Palestine . * * See the Roll of Gascony . Henry de Apulderfield another of this Family accompanied Henry the third , in his Expedition into Gascony , and his Son * * See the printed Laws of Romney Mersh . Henry de Apulderfield , with John de Lovetot , did by a Commission dated the fifteenth of November , in the sixteenth year of Edward the first , sit as Justices of the Sewers for Romney Mersh . And this Henry was Sheriff of Kent the twenty sixth , and twenty seventh of the abovesaid Prince , and had Issue William de Apulderfield the above-mentioned Lord of Bedmancore , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the twenty seventh and twenty eighth of Edward the third , and again the thirty first , thirty fourth , thirty fifth , thirty sixth , thirty eighth , and fourty fourth years of the above mentioned Prince , and held his Shrievaltie at Lingsted . Henry Apulderfield his Son , was Sheriff of Kent the fifty first of Edward the third , in which that glorious Prince paid that Tribute to Nature we all owe ; and from this Man , did Bedmancore descend to his great Grandchild Sir William Apulderfield , a Man of very great Eminence in the Raign of Henry the sixth , and Edward the fourth , who concluded in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth , matched to Sir John Phineux , Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the Raign of Henry the seventh , as is attested by his Monument in Hern Church , and he in her right became possest of Bedmancore : but it was not long fastned to this Name , for this Man likewise concluded in two Female Coheirs , whereof Jane Phineux one of them , matched with John Roper Esquire ; and Middred the other , wedded James Diggs of Diggs-court in Berham Esquire : from the first Alliance , Christopher now Lord Roper of Tenham , is lineally extracted , and , by Right of that Conjugal Union , is fortified in his present Possession and Title to this place .

Next to be remembred is Sewards , the Seat of a second Stock , of the well-spread Family of the Finches , ever since they married the Heir of place and Name , and after they had sprouted out into many fair Branches at Kingsdown , Norton , Selling , and other places ; The Sole Heir of this House at Sewards , was married to Sir Drew Drury of Norfolke Knight , Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber to Q. Elizabeth , a Gentleman of incorrupt Integrity and Wisdome , to whom wee ascribe the building of the great House against the Church , where Mr. James Hugison kept his Shrievaltie , in the seventeenth year of the late King , having some years before purchased it of Sir Drew Drury his Heir .

Linton in the Hundred of Twyford , was anciently under the Jurisdiction and Signiory of Proprietaries called Capell , who had a Seat adopted into their Sirname , and called Capells-court ; a Family certainly of great Antiquity , and no lesse Revenue in this Track . John at Capell held Lands at Boxley called Tattelmell , in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third , as appears by that King's Charter of Inspection , of the Foundation of Boxley Abbey , Cart. 37. Memb. 9. Thomas at Capell , and James at Capell , were to find two Hobelers or leight Horsmen at Denge Mersh in the eleventh year of Edward the third . And in this Family did the Title and Propriety of this place reside , untill the raign of Henry the sixth , and then it was passed away to Baesden ; where , after it had for many years been permanent , it was almost in our Grand-fathers Remembrance transplanted by Sale into Sir Anthony Mayney Knight , Grand-father to Sir Jo. Mayney Knight and Baronet , the instant Lord of the Fee .

Some part of Linton did for many Descents relate to a Family called Welldish , who had here a Chappel called Welldish his Chappel , and bore upon their Seals appendant to ancient Deeds three Talbots passant , upon a Chiefe a Fox , in the same posture with the Talbots , which was assumed by this Family , as the vulgar and constant Tradition of this Parish asserts , to perpetuate , and inforce the Memory of one of their Ancestors , who was Huntsman to William the Conquerour . Finally after this Name had been fixed at this place , for so many Descents , a considerable part of their Estate was in that Age wee name our Grand-fathers , passed away to Walter Mayney Esquire , from whom his Successor Sir Jo. Mayney now claims the Propriety of it .

Littlebourne in the Hundred of Downchamford , was many Hundred years since , given to the Church of Canterbury ( as the Annalls of St. Angustins testifie ) by Withredus King of Kent . But here is the Mannor of Welle in this Parish , which was alwayes under the Jurisdiction of Lay Proprietaries . It was first the position of John de Welle , sometimes written At Well , from the position of his Dwelling , which perhaps was in a bottom : but this Man in the forty fourth year of Hen. the third , made Ranulph Joremer his Feoffe in Trust , who sold it for his Use to Reginald de Cornehill ; by whose Daughter and Heir , it came to Garwinton of Beakesbourne , and in this Name after it had been fixed some four Descents , it went away to Haut ; for William Garwinton died without Issue ; and so Margaret his Kinswoman , matched to Richard Haute , who was a second stock of the Hauts of Bourne , became his Heir ; but long the Right of it was not united to his Family ; For Richard Haut this Mans Son , left likewise onely a Daughter and Heir called Margery , who altered the Possession , and brought it with Her to her Husband William Isaack , who had by her Edward Isaack , and he determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , Mary married to Thomas Apulton of Waldingfield in the County of Suffolk , and the other , first matched to ....... Sydley , and after to Sir Henry Palmer , who by Donation from his Wife , was endowed with the Fee-simple of Well Court , and his Successor in our Father's Memory , alienated it to Lievetenant Colonel Prude , slain at the Siege of Maestricht , who left it to his Son Mr. Searles Prude , whose two Daughters and Coheirs , are by his Will after his Widow's Decease entituled to the Inheritance .

Reginald de Cornehill in the forty fourth year of Henry the third , exchanged Lands with John de St. Leger , for Lands at Lukedale in Littlebourne , where he founded a Chantry , which was endowed with a new accession of Land by his Wife Matilda de Cornehill , and was confirmed by Patent from Henry the third .

Lose in the Hundred of Maidstone , was in old Saxon Records written Hlos : which imports as much as the Lot or Portion . It was , as the Book of Christ-Church informs us , given by Ethelwulf King of the South-Saxons to Sneta a Widow and her Daughter , and they gave it back again to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury to apparel them . In the Conqueror's Time upon the general Survey recorded in Doonesday-Book , it was accounted as part of the six Sullings of Ferneleigh .

Pimps Court that gave Name to the Knightly Family of the Pimps , is in this Parish , although they made Nettlested their more frequent place of abode ; William de Pimpe held this and other Lands by a whole Knights Fee , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight : and from this William was John Pimpe Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the second year of Henry the seventh , lineally descended , who sold this Place to Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham Lord Constable of England , whose dysastrous Fate having engaged him to make some dark Applications to a Wizard and a Monk , about the Succession of the Crown ; Henry the eighth , a Prince of much Jelousie and Fury . like an Industrious Spider spun out Venome enough out of this unhappy Address of his , to poyson him with the Guilt of High Treason , and so made the forfeiture of his Life and Fortune pay the price of his Vanity : upon whose Ruine his Estate was , not long after his Death and Attaint , which was in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , by that Prince granted to his Confident and Favourite Sir John Rainsford , who after a brief enjoyment of it , passed it away to Sir Henry Isley , who being attainted in the second year of Q. Mary , for supporting by his Assistance and Concurrence the Defection of Sir Thomas Wiat this reverted to the Crown , and the same Princess in the second year of her Government , granted it by Patent to Sir John Baker , whose Successor Sir John Baker Baronet , hath lately passed it away to Thomas Floyd of Gore Court Esquire .

Luddenham in the Hundred of Middleton , with the appendant Mannor of Bishops-Bush , was a Branch of that spatious Revenue which did in these parts own the Northwoods for Possessors : and Roger de Northwood in the forty first year of Henry the third , amongst divers Parcels of Land which he altered from the Nature of Gavelkind into Knights Service , ( of the which there is a particular Recapitulation in the Book of Aid ) changed ninety Acres of Mersh Land which lay partly in Iwade , and partly in his Mannor of Luddenham into that Tenure . After the Northwoods , the Frogenhalls were Possessors of this place , and William Frogenhall had this amongst other Lands in this Track , which he died seised of , in the eighth year of Richard the second : his Son and Heir was William Frogenhall Father to Thomas Frogenhall the last of the Name at this Place ; for he left no Issue Male : so that the Daughters became his Coheirs . One of whom was Anne , who married Thomas Quadring of London , and so this place became hsi Inheritance , as being her Proportion of Frogenhalls Estate : but it quickly found an other owner ; for Joan Quadring his onely Daughter and Heir , by marrying with Richard Dryland of Cokesditch in Feversham , incorporated it with the Demeasn of that Family : since which Alliance , it hath by a constant Succession been fixt in the Possession of the Name of Dryland ; untill of late years by an Heir General , it came to own the Signory of Kirton .

Luddesdowne in the Hundred of Taltingtrough , was ( though now a petty obscure Village ) more noted formerly , when it was the Patrimony of the Barons Montchensie of Swanscamp-Castle . Warren de Montchensie , one of them , obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to this Mannor of Ludsdowne , in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third : afterwards this Mans Successor William de Monchensie held it , and sat in Parliament as Baron of Swanscamp , and dying in the year 1287 , without Issue Male , left this and diverse other Places to Dionys his Sole Daughter and Heir , who was married to Hugh de Vere ; but died without Issue , in the year of our Lord , 1314 , by which means the Title of this Place diverted to Joan de Montchensie , Sister to William above-named , and She matched in Marriage with William de Valentia Earl of Pembroke , half Brother to King Henry the third , and by him had Aymer de Valence , who expired in two Female Coheirs , one of whom called Isabel , was married to Lawrence de Hastings , who in her Right was afterwards Earl of Pembroke , and Proprietary of the Fee-simple of this Place ; from whom it descended to his Grand-child John Hastings Earl of Pembroke , who dying in the fourteenth year of Richard the second , left his Estate in Kent , in which this was involved to his two Kinsmen , Reginald Grey , and Richard Talbot , and upon the Division of it , this Mannor was lincked to the Patrimony of Grey , and remained untill the Beginning of Henry the fixth , interwoven with the Revenue of this Family , and then I find it under the Signory of that eminent Peer and glorious Souldier Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury , who in so many remarkable and triumphant Conflicts , asserted the Interest of this Nation in France , in the Raign of the abovesaid Prince , and at last received a mortal Wound , by a Splinter of a Window struck into his Face by a Cannon shot at the Siege of Orleans , of which he died 1428 , and left his Estate here to his Natural Son James Montacute , * * Ex vetustis Autographis penes Rich. Lea Arm. de Rochester . so written in the Deed , but in all our printed Books of Nobility falsly and corruptly John , and he in the thirtieth year of Henry the sixth , conveyed it by Deed to Thomas Davy Gentleman , and he not many years after alienated it to Edward Nevill Baron of Aburgavenny ; from whom it was transported by Descent to his Successor Henry Lord Aburgavenny , who dying in the twenty ninth year of Q. Elizabeth , without Issue Male , gave it to his second Brother Sir Edward Nevill ; from whom it is come down to his Descendant , John Lord Aburgavenny , the instant Proprietary of it .

Buckland in this Parish , did acknowledge the Bucklands for its Heirs and Possessors , who sometimes did inhabit at Preston in Shorham , and sometimes at this place ; which however now obscure and despicable , was of Credit when Sir John Buckland paid respective Aid for his Lands at Ludsdown , at the making of the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth of Edward the third ; from Buckland by a Daughter and Heir , some few Ages since , it came over with Preston in Shorham , to Folhill , and in that Family is the Title still at this instant resident .

Lullingston in the Hundred of Axtan , was in ancient Records written Lullingston Rosse ; for Anketellus Rosse held Lands here in the twentieth of William the Conqueror ; William de Rosse this mans Grand-child ( as appears by the Pipe Rolls ) held two Knights Fees in Lullingston , in the first year of King John . Alexander de Rosse this mans Son was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae , or of the grand Assise about the end of that Prince's Rule ; but not long after this the Possession of this place was not lincked to this Family ; for Lora de Rosse Sole Daughter to William de Rosse , by matching with William de Peyforer , fastned it to the Revenue of that Stock , from whence it assumed the Title of Lullingston Peyforer ; but it quickly deserted both the Title and Possessor ; for Gregory de Rokesley Lord Maior of London , in the seventh year of Edward the first purchased it of the abovesaid William , and in the same year obtained a Charter Warren to his Lands at this place . In the twentieth year of Edward the third , John de Rokesley Son to Walter Rokesley and Grand-child to the before mentioned Gregory , paid Aid for the Mannor of Lullingston , which held by a whole Knights Fee , at the making the Black Prince Knight ; In the thirty third year of Edward the third , Sir John Peche purchased the Mannor of this John de Rokesley ; this Sir John was Son to Sir John de Peche , who was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and Constable of Dover Castle , and was called to Parliament among the Barons , in the fourth year of Edward the third . In the same year he bought Lullingston , he obtained a Charter of Free Warren to his Lands there , which was renewed , and by Confirmation fortified in the thirty fourth and thirty fifth of Edward the third . Sir William Peche was his Son and Heir , whose Widow the Lady Joane Peche , who died seised of this Mannor , in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , lies entombed in St. Mary Woolnoth Church in London : Sir John Peche was Son and Heir to them both ; Sir William Peche was Son and Heir to this Sir John , who died at Lullingston , 1487 , and had two Children Sir John Peche Knight and Banneret , who died sans Issue ; ( which Sir John , was a man of exemplary Account , being Lord Deputy of Calais , and of signal Charity , as is evident by his Munificence and Bounty towards the Poor ; for he founded the Alms-Houses at Lullingston , and gave 500 lb. to other Pious Uses , to be performed by the Grocers Company in London , of which he was Free : ) and Elizabeth marched to John Hart Esquire , who in his Wife 's Right , upon the Decease of her Brother , enter'd into the Possession of the Premisses ; from whom it is transmitted to William Hart Esquire , his great Grand-child , who hath the instant Signory and Fee-simple of this Mannor of Lullingston .

M. M. M. M.

MAidstone giveth Name to the whole Hundred wherein it is seated : an elegant Town it is , whether we consider it in respect of the uniform and regular Building ; or of the healthful Situation of it , spreading it self out partly upon a Hill , and partly upon a Valley ; which are interlaced with a smal River which hath its Original about Leeds , and on the other side its Banks are washed with the waters of the Medway ; from whence it primitively borrowed its Name , being in Saxon called Medwegston . The Places of most eminence which are circumscribed within the Limits of it are ,

First Buckland , which is situated on the opposite Banck of the River , upon the Knob or Knoll of an Hill of easie Ascent ; from whence it takes in , a various and delightful Prospect of the adjacent Valley ; It was anciently part of the Demeasn of the Bucklands ; but whether it originally gave Seat and Sirname to them or not , is not evident ; because there was another Place , which likewise bore this Name at Luddesdowne , and which also acknowledged it self to be Parcel of their Proprietie ; John de Buckland held it at his Death , which was in the third year of Edward the third , and his Son and Heir was Sir John Buckland , who was a Person of remarkable Reputation and Note in this Track ; for he had Lands about Wouldham , Halling , Snodland , Ludsdowne and Shoreham , as well as at this Place . After this Name went out , the Lords Cobham were Proprietaries of Buckland , and in this Family was the Possession guided along by an undivided Clew of several Ages , till the infortunate Henry Lord Cobham , about the entrance into the Raign of King James , being with Sir Walter Raleigh and others , entangled in a Design , which the then present Power after a serious and solemn Debate adjudged treasonable , he could not unravel himself out of it , but with the Forfeiture though not of Life , yet of Estate ; but this Mannor before his Attaint being settled upon his Lady Francis Cobham , as part of her Jointure , upon his Decease was granted by the Crown to her , and the Reversion to Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury , in respect he had married Elizabeth Daughter to William Brooke Lord Cobham , and Sister to this last Lord Henry , and She shortly after by marrying with ....... Fitz Gerald Earl of Kildare , settled the present Interest of it in him , and He and his Countess being embarked in a mutual and joint consent with the above-mentioned Earl of Salisbury , passed away their Right in it , about the year One thousand six hundred and eighteen , to William Horspoole Esquire , who , in the Memory of these Times , alienated the Fee-simple to Mr. English of Sussex .

Secondly , the Mannor of Maidstone it self with the Palace fall under Consideration . They were in Times of elder Account belonging to the Family of Cornhill , and so continued till William de Cornhill desiring to exemplifie his Zeal and Devotion by some eminent Acts of Piety to the Religion which those Times asserted , gave them to Stephen Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , in the seventh year of the Raign of King John ; many of whose Successors were Benefactors both to the Church and Palace . Boniface of Savoy ( Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ) about four hundred years since , built here an Hospital , then styled the New-work , to the Honour of St. Peter , and Paul , and Thomas the Martyr ; which Hospital William Courtney likewise Arch-Bishop pull'd down , and instituted a Colledge upon the Ruines of it ; for secular Priests , devoted to the Honour of All Saints : And also erected the Collegiate Church , as the Walls , diaper'd in sundry places , with his paternal Coat , do easily evince .

John Vfford also Arch-Bishop about three hundred years since began the Foundation of the Palace here ; but dying before he had compleated the same , Simon Islip his Successor gave it its Perfection , and being afterwards crumbled into Decay , Iohn Morton likewise Arch-Bishop not onely repaired , but augmented it .

Maidston was governed by a Portreve , until the Time of King Edward the sixth : by whose incorporation it came to be governed by a Maior which Priviledge being lost , because this Town was enwrapped in Sir Thomas Wiats Insurrection , against Q. Mary ; Q. Elizabeth not onely restored the same , but , to improve it to more eminence with a farther Addition of Honour , raised it into the Degree of a Borough .

Maidstone by the Influence of Boniface of Savoy , Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , had the Grant of a Market procured to be held here weekly on the Thursday , as is manifest , Pat. 45. Hen. tertii Memb. secunda .

Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , about two hundred and forty years since erected a Chauntry , for the Brothers of Corpus Christi , now converted into the Free-School , who by the Rules of their Primitive Institution were to pray for the Fraternity of the Guild .

The Mannor and Palace of Maidston being exchanged with the Crown , by Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , was by K. Henry the eighth , about the thirty second year of his Raign , granted to Thomas Wiat the elder , and his infortunate Son Sir Thomas Wiat being attainted in the second year of Queen Mary it devolved by Escheat to the Crown , and continued there untill Queen Elizabeth granted it to John Astley Esq ; Master of the Royall Jewells , from whom it descended to Sir Jacob Astley , created Lord Astley , by the late King Charles at Oxford , in whose Descendants the Propriety is at this instant resident . But the Mannor continued in the Tenure of the Crown , even untill the Raign of King Charles . For when King James had by his gracious Charter created Dame Elizabeth Finch , Widow of Sir Moile Finch of Estwell , onely Daughter and Heir of the right Honourable Sir Thomas Heneage of Copped-hall in Essex Vice-Chamberlane , and one of the Privy Councel to Queen Elizabeth , Vice-Countesse Maidston , to her and her Issue-male , She obtained the Mannor in Fee Farme for ever , and transmitted it to her Son Sir Thomas Finch , in her Right Earl of Winchelsey , from whom both the Title of Viscount Maidston and the Right of the Mannor are devolved by Paternal Succession , to the Right honourable Heneage Finch , the present Earl of Winchelsey , and Vicecount Maidston .

Leland notes that the Arch-Bishop's Palace , was anciently a Castle , and I verily believe it was the Caput Baroniae : for the Arch-Bishops had more than one , and excepting that at Saltwood , I have diligently Searched , and can find none so likely as this .

Goulds and Shepway do thirdly expose themselves to our Survey , they were formerly the Demeasne of Vinter of Vinters , not far distant , and so remained till Robert Vinter Founded in Maidston Church that Chantry , which bears the Name of Gould's Chantry , about the fortieth year of Edward the third , and then he annexed both these places to the Found●tion , for those Divine Offices which were there to be performed , but upon the Suppression of this Oratorie , King Henry the eighth granted Goulds and Shepway to Sir Thomas Wiat , who afterwards sinking under the crime of High Treason , in the second year of the Government of Queen Mary , She upon his attaint , granted them to Sir Walter , and Gervas Henley Esq ; from which Family by Purchase they came over to Andrews , but stayed not long there , for in our Fathers Memory they were sold to Sir Humphrey Tufton , late Sheriff of Kent , part of the year 1654. and part of the year 1655.

Bigons , alias Digons , was the ancient Seat of the worthy Family of the Mapelysdens , and I have a Deed in my Custody , wherein one Edward Mapelysden is mentioned , with this Addition , Edwardus Mapelysden de Digons . The Deed bears Date from the twenty fifth of Edward the third , and after the possession had been for many Generations Successively resident in this Family , one of this Name , being unfortunately concerned in the Defection of Sir Thoma ; Wyat , was blasted with the guilt of High Treason , and so by Consequence his Estate by Confiscation , escheated to the Crown , from which it was granted to Nicholas Barham , after Serjeant at Law , who did much improve this Fabrick , with a Supplement of Building , from whose Heir it passed away by Sale to Hawle , and from him again soon after to Sir Francis Berneham , to whom this Mansion owes much of its Magnificence and Splendor , whose Son and Heir Mr. Edward Barneham Esquire , has lately alienated his Interest in it , to Mr. Beale of London .

Jordans-Court is a fifth place , which may exact our Notice , because it gave Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination ; the next Family , after this was expired , which held it , was Roper , of the Ropers of St. Dunstans in Canterbury ; and John Roper sold it to Edw. and Wil. Brouch , of Bersted about the thirty sixth year of Henry the sixth , and they quickly after alienated their Concernment to Atwood , from whom the same Fate , carried it away to Peirce , who by Sale transmitted his Right to Cook , and he suddenly after demised it to Crooke , where after the Title had made some short abode , the Possession was passed over to Potkins , extracted from the Fotkins of Sevenoke , where the Name was very ancient , from Potkin ; by his Daughter and Coheir , it descended to Virgo , who about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth , by Sale translated the Possession into Washington Justice of Peace , and often in the Commission of Sewers , who sold it to Godwin , from whom by Purchase , it came to be the Inheritance of Crisp , who in our Memory conveyed it away to Smith ; and he , some few years since , by Sale , invested the Propriety in Mr. Beckman .

Sixthly , Sheals is not to be forgotten , because it was the Inheritance of Fremingham , for Ralph de Fremingham died seised of it , in the thirtieth year of Edward the third , and when this Family went out , the Pimps of Pimps-Court and Nettlested , by Purchase became Lords of the Fee ; from whom the same Fare brought it to acknowledge the Signory of the Isleys of Sundrich ; and here it continued , till Sir Henry Isley in the Raign of Q. Mary , being attainted of High Treason , it became Confiscated to the Crown , and She in the second year of her Government , granted it to Sir Walter Henley Knight , of Coursehorne in Cranbroke , in whose Name and posierity the Possession has remained Successively planted till this Day .

Seventhly , Chillington is not to be omitted , because I find it in the Register of those Lands which acknowledged the Lords Cobham , for Lords of the Fee : And when John de Cobham had obtained a Charter of Free-warren , in the seventeenth year of Edw. the third , to all his Lands in Kent , The Mannor of Chillington is Recorded in the Catalogue amongst them . After them , it came ( as the Court-rolls and private Evidences of this place inform me ) to acknowledge the Signory and Jurisdiction of the Mapelysdens of Digons , and remained circumscribed in their Revenue , till Queen Mary began to weild the English Scepter , and then George Mapelysden being entangled beyond all retreat , in the unsuccessfull Expedition of Sir Thomas Wyat , miscarried in that Attempt , and lost his Estate by Forfeiture to the Crown , and Q. Mary granted it to Sir Walter , and Gervas Henley Esquire , who not long after sold his Interest in it to Nicholas Barham Esquire , Serjeant at Law to Queen Elizabeth , and his Successor alienated this place to Hawle of Wye , whose Grandchild Mr. George Hawle lately deceased , held the Fee-simple of it .

Lastly , within the Ambute or Limits of Maidstone , stands an ancient Castellated House called the Moate . It did in times of great Antiquity , relate to that Patrimony which confessed the Signory of the noted Family of Leybourne : for Roger de Leybourne obtained the Grant of a Market weekly on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly to continue three Dayes at the Feast of St. Cross , in the fifty first year of Henry the third , as appears Pat. 51. Hen. tertii Memb. 10. But before the beginning of Edw. the third , this Name was withered and shrunk into Decay at this place , and then Bartholomew Lord Burghurst , or Burwash , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and one of the first Founders of the Order of the Garter , came to possesse it , and Inhabited here in the twenty ninth year of Edward the third , and possessed the Signory called Shofford , on which the Castle stands , and which one John de Shofford held by Knights-Service , in the twentieth year ( as appears by the Book of Aid , ) of Edward the third . After the Lords Burghurst , the Woodvills were possest of it , and removed from Grafton in the County of North-Hampton , where they had long continued , and lived here . A fair Monument of Woodvill , on the North-side the Chancell of Maidstone-Church affirms it : and when King Henry the sixth created Richard Woodvill Constable of the Isle of Wight , a Baron of this Nation , and elected him into the Order of the Garter , his Style was , Lord Rivers , Grafton , and De la Moat ; which Act of Grace and Favour , mollified a Sentence and Fine of 1000. lb. imposed upon him , for matching with Jaquet , Daughter of Peter of Luxenbourg , Earl of St. Paul , Widow of John Plantagente Duke of Bedford , without the Kings Licence . But when King Edward the fourth , had married Elizabeth his eldest Daughter , being widow to Thomas Marquesse Dorcett , he created him Earl Rivers , and Lord of the Isle of Wight , which Titles he had observed were concomitant in some of the Styles of the Lords Rivers , or de Ripariis , who were the Ancient Earls of Devon , and assumed to bear in an Escocheon of pretence upon his own Atchievement , the old Coat ascribed commonly to Baldwin de Ripariis Earl of Devon , viz. Gules a Griphen Segreant Or : which I note for Criticks in Armorie to descant on , and return to the Historie of the Place . When this good man , for so he was noted to be , was miserably massacred by Robert Ridisdale Captain of the Lewd People of North-Hampton-shire , who took him at Edgcot-Field , and struck off his head at North-Hampton ( Their Will being their Law , and Mischief Minister to their wild Designs ? ) all his seven Sons who survived him , died without Issue , and then Sir Henry Wyat becomes owner of this place , Grandfather to Sir Thomas Wiat , afterwards his Successor in the Possession of it , whose dysastrous Tragedy is presented at Boxley , upon whose untimely Exit , Hugh Warham in the second year of Queen Mary , by Grant from the Crown , enters upon it , from whom Alderman Rither afterwards Lord Maior of London , and known by the Name of Sir William Rither , Purchased and Repaired it and left it to his Daughter and Coheir , the Lady Susan Caesar , whose eldest Son Tho. Caesar Esq ; and his Mother concurring together , disposed of their Right in it by Sale to Sir Humphrey Tufton Knight , second Son to Sir John Tufton Knight and Baronet , and Brother to Nicholas Tufton Earl of Thanett , who was Father to John the present Earl .

There was a Family Sirnamed de Maidstone , whose Blazon upon a Monument in Vlcombe Church is , Sables a Cheveron between three Cups , covered , Argent Crowned Or , William de Maidston the Kings Valect , being sent to the Court of Rome with certain Instruments , and other expresses , deceas'd in his Journey , as appears Pat. Anno , quinto Edwardi primi , prima Pars.

Pinenden-Heath confines upon Maidston , and is eminent for the Punishment of Malefactors , and the frequent Assemblies of Free-holders , who here convene to elect such Persons for Knights of the Shire , as may represent the County in Parliament . But it was in elder times more famous for that great Convention of English and Normans , who met there in the fourth year of Wil. the Conquerour , to decide the great Controversie which then broke forth , between Lanfranc Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and Odo Earl of Kent , touching some Lands and Priviledges which the said Arch-Bishop alleaged were by an unjust Usurpation by the above-said Odo ravished away from the Church : which because it gives us a full Prospect of that exorbitant and wide power which the Clergie of those times did entitle themselves to . I shall endevour to pourtray it in as Brief and narrow a Landskip , as I have pencill'd it out by Textus Roffensis , an old Book in Manuscript so called , where it is more voluminously represented .

At Pinenden-Heath ( says Textus Roffensis ) in the fourth year of William the Conquerour , there was an Assemblie of the gravest and discreetest of the English and Normans , by a signall Decision and Debate , to deternine of that Controversie , which did formerly arise between Odo Bishop of Bayeux , and Earl of Kent , touching some Lands and Priveledges which were detained from the Church by the said Earl ; and Lanfranc Arch-Bishop of Canterbury . The said Dispute or Debate lasted three Dayes : after the expiration of which , the said Arch-Bishop recovered severall Lands which he the said Odo and his Tenants then held , which were Herbert the Son of Ivo , Turold of Rochester , Ralph de Curva-Spina , and Hugh de Montfort , with all the Franchises belonging to them , as namely , Sac and Soc , Toll and Theam , Infangtheof and Outfang-theof , Flymena , Firmth , Grithbreach , Forestall , Heinfare , and Cersett ; ( the last of which , because none of our Interpreters of the dark and obscure Terms of the Law do explain , I shall ; It was a Rent-charge of a certain Proportion of Corn in the ear , paid at the Feast of St. Martin , ) with all other Customes greater or less , both on the Land and on the Water ; and it was tried and proved by all the honest and wise Men both Normans and English who were present , that as the King himself , holds his Lands quiet , and free in his Demeasne , so the Arch-Bishop holds all his Lands whoily quiet and free in his Demeasne . In the presence of these , it was shewn by many and most evident Reasons , that the King hath no Customes in the Church of Canterbury , but onely three , which are these . If any man digg in the Kings High-way , or cut down any Tree to stop it , if any man shall be apprehended and found Culpable , whilest they are in doing such things , whether Pledges be taken of them or not , yet by prosecution of the Kings Officer , and by Pledges they shall amend what is unjustly done . The third Custome is , If any man commit Blood-shed on the Kings High-way ; if whilst he does it he be apprehended and imprisoned , he shall then make amends unto the King : But if he shall not be apprehended , but depart without giving any Pledge , the King may not in Justice require any thing of him . And it was at the same time farther determined , that if any Person did commit Blood-shed , or Manslaughter , in places which were within the Liberties of the Church of Canterbury , from the time that the Church left off to Sing Alleluiah , to the Octaves of Easter ; that then he should make amends onely to the Arch-Bishop . And it was likewise shewed at the same Time , that whosoever should commit the Crime of Childwitt , that is , of Bastardy ; if it were in Lent , the Arch-Bishop should have the whole Satisfaction ; but if out of Lent , then he should have onely half of it .

There were present at this Assembly , Goisfrid Bishop of Constance the Kings Substitute , Ernost Bishop of Rochester , Egelric or Agelric Bishop of Selsey and Chichester , a Man of deep insight in the Constitutions Ecclesiastical , and of so great an Age , that he was brought in a Wagon , for his Discussion and Declaration , ( says Textus Roffensis ) upon the known Laws , Usages , Franchises , and Customes of Holy Church . Hugh de Montfort , William de Arces , Richard de Tunbridge ; and lastly , Haymo . Sheriff of Kent .

Town Malling and East Malling lie in the Hundred of Larkfield , and were both Mannors which related to that Revenue , which made up the Patrimony of the Nunnery of Town Malling , which was founded by Gundulphus Bishop of Rochester , about the year 1090 , and dedicated to the Virgin Mary , and had the Church it self which was likewise named after the blessed Virgin , and the Chappel of St. Leonards not far distant . Though this Gundulphus was the Founder , yet Haimo de Heath , as appears by the Records of Rochester , aws an eminent Benefactor to it about the year 1339. Both these Mannors upon the Suppression having augmented the Revenue of the Crown , they rested there , untill the fourth year of Edward the sixth , and then they were granted in Lease for Life , to Sir Hugh Cartwright , and upon his Decease , they were passed away upon the same Condition to Pierpoint ; and he conveyed them to William Brook Lord Cobham ; whose Son Henry Lord Cobham , being attainted in the second year of King James , they were re-assumed by the Crown , and after granted in Lease , to Sir Humphrey Delind , a Man furnished with a liberal stock both of divine and humane Learning ; and he passed away his Interest to Sir Robert Brett : but the Fee-simple continued with the Crown , until the twenty first of King James ; and then they were granted for ever to John Rayney Esquire , which Concession was fully ratified by King Charles , ( to whom the Profits of these Mannors were assigned when he was Prince , towards the Support of of his Court ) in the second year of his Raign , to Sir John Rayney now of Wrotham Knight and Baronet , which Sir John is lineally descended from John Reignie ( for so the Name in old Deeds is written ) who held the Mannor of Edgeford in Devon , and Smitheley-hall in York-shire , in the Raign of Edward the third , still the Possession of this Family . Which John was originally extracted from Sir John de Reignie , who , as is manifest by the old Rolls and Registers of this Family , held the Mannor of Newton in Cumberland , in the raign of Henry the third .

West-Malling had a Market granted to it on the Saturday by Henry the third , at the Instance of the Lady Abbesse of that place : to whom and to the Nuns of this Cloister , the Vicar of East-Malling , was , Jure Loci , always Confessor .

Parrocks and Ewell are two appendant Mannors , involved in the Mannor of West-Malling , whose Fee-simple was passed away to John Rayney Esquire , when the other was linked by Grant to his Demeasne , Ex autographis penes Jo. Reyney , Millit . & Baronetum the last of which lay in Brenchley , and was in Lease many years from the Nunnery to Hextall , whose Female Heir brought it to Whetenhall ; and Sir Richard Whetenhall , in the twelfth year of Q. Elizabeth , sold it to George Lord Cobham , and his Son Henry Lord Cobham , alienated it to Sir Thomas Fane Ancestor to Mildmay Earl of Westmerland : whose Lease being lately expired , it is now come to confesse Sir John Reyney Knight and Baronet , for sole Proprietarie .

Borough Court in East-Malling , was parcell of the ancient Demease of the noble Family of Colepeper of Preston in Alre●ford and was found united to their Revenue , at the Death of Walter Colepeper Esquire , which was in the first year of Edward the third ; and in this Family did it continue involved for sundry Ages , till allmost in our Grand-fathers memory , it was by Sale conveyed away to Shakerley , descended from the Shakerleys of Shakerley in Lancashire : but it made no long aboad here , for in the Age subsequent to that wherein it was purchased , this Family resolved into a Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Beauley , descended from the Beauleys of Beauleys Court in Wouldham , who brought Borough Court along with her , into the Possession of that Family , and left it to her only Daughter and Heir Mary Beauley , who by matching lately with Mr ....... Basse of Suffolk , hath made it parcel of his Interest and Propriety .

Marden is not parcell only of the Hundred of Middleton or Milton , but an Appendage of the Mannor also : but because they are divided by so remote a distance , from the above-mentioned place , they in elder Times made their Applications , by humble Addresses to the Crown , of whose Revenue this Parish was a Limb , to rescue them from that Burden , which crushed the shoulder , and to permit that this Parish . Suo integro Dominio , & Jurisdictione complecterctur , might be circumscribed within the Sphere and Circumference of its own Signiory , without any adherence or Connexion to any other : but it seems the Beams of majesty , not beating with any propitious Influence on this Design , it grew not up to that Stature , and perfection , it did first aspire to ; so that it remained an imperfect Moiety of a Mannor , under which Notion it is represented to us at present . Yet , in the ninth year of Edw. the first , Eleanor Wife to that Prince , obtained a Market weekly , and a Fair yearly , to be observed at this place , and being improved with these advantageous Franchises , it remained marshalled in the Inventory of the Royal Demeasne , untill the second year of King James , and then it was passed away by Grant to Philip then Earl of Mout Gomery , upon whose late Decease it was disposed by Will to own the Interest of his second Son Mr. James . Herbert .

Cheveney , and Cheveney House , are both within the Verge of Marden , and were entituled to a Family of that Sirname . Henry de Cheveney held it at his Death , which was in the second year of Edward the second Rot. Esc . Num. 59. And after him Joan the Wife of John Cheveney his Son was in Enjoyment of it at her Decease , which was in the thirty second year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 5. But after this I find no farther Remembrance of this Family at this Place ; for in the second year of Richard the second , I discover by an ancient Court-Roll , one William Atweld to have held the Propriety of it : And in this Family was the Title lodged until the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was transmitted by Sale to Couper , and in the thirteenth year of that Monarch , I find one William Couper , to have discharged some Persons of some Amerciaments , and Fines imposed upon them for not performing Suite and Service at this Mannor of Cheveney : and in this Family was the Interest successively resident , until the Beginning of Q. Mary , and then this House and Mannor being by the Custome of Gavelkind ground into two Parcels , and those possest by two Brothers Coheirs , one of them passed away Cheveney House to Maplesden , in which name it is yet constant , and the other alienated the Mannor of Cheveny to Lone ; from whom Mr. ....... Lone the instant Proprietary is lineally extracted

Sipherst is another little Mannor in Marden , which had Possessors here of that Sirname , until the latter End of Edward the third , and then they being abolished and the Fee-simple abandoned and surrendred to William Atweld , about the second year of Richard the second , that Name was entituled to the Estate here , until the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was alienated with Cheveney to Couper , in whom the Fee-simple had not been long constant , when it was demised to John Field , and he made his Will in the seventeenth year of Edward the fourth , and gives it to his Son Jo. Field , and from him did it by descendant Right devolve to his Successor Edward Field , who held it the fourth year of Q. Elizabeth , and after gave it to his Kinsman Thomas Gilbert , whose Successor Thomas Gilbert having settled it on his Widow Sibil Gilbert , it is now in her Right possest by her second Husband Mr. Richard Knight .

Tildens Stubbins , and Brooke , are three other inconsiderable Mannors in this Parish : which had three owners of these Denominations , the first of which were Persons of Eminence in this County , and had an Estate at Wye . Catts place in Brenchley and at Tilmanston likewise , as it appears by the Book of Aid , where there is an Assessement laid upon the Lands of William Tilden , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight : But to proceed , the Propriety of these three Places , were constantly under the Dominion of these three Families until the latter End of Henry the fourth , and then Stubbins was passed away to Tilden , in whom both Stubbins and Tildens remained combined and wound up together , until the Beginning of Henry the sixth , and then they were demised to Thomas Stidolfe Esquire , and he made his Will in the year 1453 , and therein mentions Stubbins and Tildens to have been purchased of Tilden and Brooke of Richard Brooke : but this Family about the Beginning of Henry the seventh , determining in a Female Inheritrix ( matched to Richard Vane Esquire ) united these three Mannors to his Patrimony , and from him by the traverses of several Descents , are they now come down to be possest by the right Honourable Mildmay Vane Earl of Westmerland .

Monkton is a Mannor in Marden , which made up the Demeasn of the Priory of Leeds , and upon the suppression of that Cloister , was by K. Henry the eighth , granted to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire , who not long after alienated it to Thomas Wilfor'd Esquire , and he in the seventh year of Q. Elizabeth to Thomas Stanley ; in which Family it remained , until our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was demised by Sale to Mr. ...... Board of Sussex .

St. Mary Church in Romney Mersh , lies in the Hundreds of St. Martins and New-Church , and was anciently folded up in that large Demeasn which did acknowledge the Dominion of the Criolls ; John de Crioll or Keriel of a younger Extraction from Bertram de Crioll held it at his Death , which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , and transmitted it to his Son Sir Nicholas Criol ; from whom by a continued Succession , it devolved to Sir Thomas Crioll Knight of the Garter , who falling an Oblation at the Battle of St. Albans , to the Cause and Quarrel of the House of York , by his Daughter and Heir it came to be the Inheritance of John Fogge Esquire , who left it to his Son Thomas Fogge : and though he determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , Alice matched to William Scot , and Anne first married to Edward Scot , and after to Henry Isham , yet it seems ( to improve and continue the Name ) he gave this and other Lands to his Kinsman George Fogge , whose Posterity enjoyed it even until our Fathers Memory , and then it was alienated to Carkeredge .

St. Maries in the Hundred of Hoo , was ( as appears by Sir Thomas Wisemans Evidences , for I can trace not any Notice of it in Publick Records ) in the Raign of Edw. the fourth , ( for no higher do the Deeds arrive at ) in the Hands of one William Halton , who sold the same to William Lemyng Citizen and Grocer of London , as appears by a Deed dated the twenty second day of October , in the eighth year of the said King's Raign . Afterwards I find this abovesaid Mannor in the Hands of Sir John Brooke Lord Cobham , in the Raign of Henry the seventh ; but from whom it came to him the Evidences do not discover : but I find , that in the seventh year of that King's Raign , the said Lord Cobham sold the abovesaid Mannor to Sir Robert Reade , then Serjeant at Law , but after Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas ; who concluding in three Daughters and Coheirs ; Dorothy matched to Sir Edward Wotten of Boughton Malherbe ; Katharin wedded to Sir Thomas Willoughbie second Son of Christopher Willoughbie Lord Willoughbie of Eresbye ; and Margaret married to Sir Iohn Harcourt of Elnal , in the County of Stafford , this Mannor of St. Maries in her right , descending to this Family , the abovesaid Sir Iohn and the Lady Margaret his Wise , did , in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , exchange the said Mannor of St. Mary Hall with Iohn Wiseman Gentleman , for the Priory of Ronton , in the County of Stafford : since which Time the said Mannor hath continued in the Name of Wiseman , and is at this instant in the Possession of Sir Thomas Wiseman of Riven Hall , in the County of Essex , Knight .

Newland is a Mannor Situated in St. Maries , which was , as high as can be traced , by any Track of Evidence , the Inheritance of Somer , vulgarly now called Somers . Richard le Somer made his Will , as appears by the Records of Rochester , in the year of Grace 1347 , and died seised of this Place , Lands in Halstow , Higham , Leigh , and elsewhere , and from him did it come down by the Channel of Descent to John Somer , who was Chancellor of the Exchequer , in the Raign of Henry the sixth , who was a great Benefactor to the Priory of Christ-Church , in whose Cloister the Armes of this Family remain insculped in Stone as a Memorial of his Beneficence , the last of this Family who held this place , was Sir William Somer , who was thrice employed as publick Embassador to forraign States by Queen Elizabeth , and he deceased without Issue Male , so that his two Daughters matched to Sir Alexander Temple , and Sir James Cromer became his Coheirs ; but this Mannor of Newland upon the Petition was united to the Demeasn of Temple , whose Heir hath lately passed it away to the Treasurers of the Chest , for sick and mained Seamen at Chetham .

Mershham in the Hundred of Chart and Longbridge , was given by Siward and Mawde his Wife to the Monks of St. Augustins for support of their Diet , which Concession of their's , was afterwards confirmed ( as appears by the Book of Christ-Church ) by the Royal Authority of Edward the Confessor , and so remained wrapped up in the Demeasn of the Church till the Dissolution of that Covent , and then it fell into the Revenue of the Crown ; and King Henry the eighth , in the thirty third year of his Raign , settled it on the newly erected Dean and Chapter of Canterbury .

Quatherington in this Parish , vulgarly called Quarington , was the ancient Residence of the Blechendens , till William Blechenden by marriage with Agnes Daughter and Coheir of ....... Godfrey of Aldington became in her Right , Master of Simnells in that Parish , and so left his Habitation at Mersham , to enjoy his new Acquists at Aldington ; certainly they were very anciently Seated if not at this place , yet in this Parish , for I have seen the draught of a Pedigree knit together by Clarenceux Cooke , wherein they are brought down from Nicholas de Blechenden , who flourished here at Mersham in the Raign of Edward the first ; though I confesse the Evidences of Quarington reach no higher then Will . Blechenden who is made in the Pedigree , to be Grandchild to the abovesaid Nicholas , and who flourished in the Raign of Richard the second after the Blechendens , the Cleggates of Canterbury became in our Grandfathers Memory , to be Lords of the Fee ; but not long after alienated their Right in it to Eastday of Saltwood , from whom the like Current of Succession w●fted it over to Knatchbull , from whom the Right descended to Sir Norton Knatchbull , a Person who for his Favour and Love to Learning and Antiquitie , in Times when they are both fallen under such Cheapness and Contempt , cannot be mentioned without an Epithete equivalent to so just a merit .

Mepeham in the Hundred of Totingtrough , was given to the Monks of Canterbury , for their supply of Dyet by Ediva the Queen , Mother of the two Kings , Edmund , and Eadred , ( as appears by the Book of Christ-Church ) in the year of Grace 861. Upon the suppression of that Fraternitie , it increased by its Addition , the Revenue of the Crown ; but it was suddenly after in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , restored to the Church , and so continued till these infortunate Times chained it to the Patrimony of the See of Canterbury , whose Arch-Bishops it seems had a speciall Regard to this place : for William Courtney one of them , re-builded the Church , which by the Onsets of Time was shrunk into Dilapidation and Rubbish , and erected likewise some Alms Houses here for the support and maintainance of the poor of this Parish .

The Mannor of Dodmore lies within the Circuit of Mepeham , and was , as high as the Beam of any Deed can discover to me , the Possession of the noble and Knightly Family of Huntingfield . Sir Peter Huntingfield by his Deed sans Date does demise it to his kinsman Walter Huntingfield , and he by Deed likewise without any Date affixed to it passed it away to John Smith , and he in the forty seventh year of Edward the third , conveyed his Right in it by Sale to Richard Ideleigh , from whom the Ideleighs of Easture in Chilham , and Rollingin at Goodneston in East-Kent originally branched out . But here the private Muniments of this place , by whose Light I have walked , break off ; so that I must make a Gap in my Intelligence , and skip into the Raign of Henry the eighth . In the ninth year of whose Government , I find by the Court-Rolls of this place , one Thomas Cavendish Esq ; to be possest of it , from whom about the second year of Edward the sixth it went away to Henry Taylor , afterwards within the Circuit of thirty years ; it was the Possession of John Giffard , then of Walter Powre of Brenchley , and after him , of Henry Collins , who in the year 1604. demised his Interest in it to Walter Kipping Gentleman , of Kippings-Cross in Tuydley , where they were resident before about five hundred year ; and now it is made by Dorothy Kipping his Daughter and Coheir , part of the Patrimony of my Worthy and Ingenuous Friend Edward Darrell Esquire .

Dean-Court is likewise Seated within the Verge of Mepeham : It was in elder times a Branch of that wide and opulent Estate which was marshal'd under the Signory of Twitham . Alan de Twitham is enrolled in the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen who were with Richard the first at the Seige of Acon . Bethram de Twitham held it at his Death , which was in the third year of Edward the third , after Alanus de Twitham died seised of it in the twenty fifth year of the above-said Kings Raign , and his Son Theobald de Twitham after him enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the fourth year of Richard the second , as appears by the Escheat Roll of that year , marked with the Number 76. and left Mawde de Twitham heir to his large Possessions in this County , who by marrying with Simon Septuans of Checquer in Ash by Sandwich , invested him not only in the Signory of Dean-Court , but likewise in his other Demeasne which lay dispersed in severall Branches over this County , and he had Issue by her , Sir William Septuans , who matched with Anne Daughter and Heir of Sir Nicholas Sandwich , and had Issue by her John Septuans Esquire , who likewise wedded Constance Daughter and Heir of Thomas Ellys of Sandwich , and had Issue by her John his eldest Son , to whom he gave Hells , Twitham , Chilton , Molands in Ash , and other Lands in Kent ; Thomas his second Son who had Dean-Court in Mepeham , and other Lands in this County ; and Gilbert Septuans his third Son who had his Mannor of Chequer in Ash above-said , and from them it is sometimes writ At Chequer , and afterwards Harfleet , for some eminent Service by him performed at a Town of that Name in Normandy , ( as the private Evidences of this Family do seem to insinuate ) under the conduct of Henry the fifth , and so Successively by Custome and Prescription , this Name became hereditary to all of the Name of Septuans , who were either directly or Collaterally linked in Alliance to this Gilbert . And in the Name of Harfleet alias Septuans , did the Inheritance of this Mannor of Dean-Court sundry Ages reside , till some few years since , it was by one of this Name , alienated to Mr. Francis Twisden third Brother to Sir Roger Twisden of Roydon-Hall , Knight and Baronet .

Merworth stands in the Hundred of Littlefield , and gave Seat and Sirname to a worthy Family of Gentlemen , whose Ancestor branched out from a Family called St. Laurence . William de Merworth is in the Register of those Kentish Knights who were embarked with Richard the first , at the Seige of Acon , upon which it is probable the Crosse Corslets were taken into the paternall Coat of this Family . In the fifteenth year of King John , one Roger , the Son of Eustace de Merworth , brought a Quare Impedit against the Prior of Leeds , for the Adyouson of the Church of Merworth ; Roger de Merworth obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Merworth , in the eighteenth year of Edward the first . In the twentieth year of Edward the third , ( as appears by the Book of Aid ) John de Merworth paid respective Aid for a whole Knight's Fee at Merworth and Crombery in Hadloe , which he held of the Earl of Glocester , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and an Inquisition taken after this mans Death , for his Mannor of Merworth , ( though the Inquisition for his Mannor of Maplescombe and other Lands , was not taken untill the forty ninth of Edward the third ) finds John Malmains of Malmains in Pluckley , to be his Heir , who in the forty sixth year of Edward the third , sells it to Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex , and he about the beginning of Richard the second , conveys it to Nicholas de Brembre Son of Sir John de Brembre , who at the Battle of Trent , as Mr. Selden relates in his Titles of Honour pag. 556. made himself eminent by a signall encounter with John de Beaumonour in the year 1350. And endevouring to support the prerogative of Richard the second , in an Age wherin his Crime was , too much Loialty , against the Assaults of some of the Factious and Ambitious Nobility , sunk under the waight of their Hatred and Opposition : and being attainted of High Treason , this in the tenth year of the abovesaid Prince Escheated to the Crown , and the same King in the thirteenth year of his Raign , granted it to John Hermensthorpe , who immediately after conveyed it to Richard Fitzallan , Earl of Arundell , Lord Treasurer , and Lord Admirall of England ; whose Son Thomas Fitzallan dying without Issue , Joan one of his Sisters and Coheirs matching with William Beauchampe , who was created by Writt Baron of Abergavenny , in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , knit this Mannor to the Patrimony of that Family , where it continued till Richard Beauchampe this mans Son dying without Issue-male , in the ninth year of Henry the fifth , bequeathed it to Elizabeth his Sole Daughter and Heir , who matched afterward to Edward Nevill Baron of Abergavenny , from whom the Title both of the Barony and Merworth , flowed down to his Great Grandchild Henry Nevill , who died the twenty ninth year of Queen Elizabeth , and left this Mannor to Mary his Sole Daughter and heir , married to Sir Thomas Fane , unto whom King James , in the first Parliament which he held , Restored , Gave , Granted , and so forth , the Name , Style , Title , Honour and Dignity of Baroness le Despencer , and that her Heirs Successively should be Barons le Desp neer for ever . She had Issue by Sir Thomas Fane of Badsell in Kent , Sir Francis Fane eldest Son , Knight of the Bath , whom King James in the twenty second year of his Raign , December the 29. created Earl of Westmerland , and Baron Burghurst ; being likewise by his Mothers Descent extracted from the female heir of that old Barony : for Edw. le Despencer , who maried Elizabeth Heir of Bartholomew Lord Burghurst , and Rich. Beauchampe who married Isabell Daughter and Heir of Thomas Lord Despencer , and his eldest Son Sir Mildmay Fane , Knight of the Noble Order of the Bath , now Earl of Westmerland , doth not onely enjoy the Concomitant Titles of Despencer and Burghurst but the Mannor of Mereworth likewise , with all the Royalties of it , which were not inferiour to any which hathreceived Honour by its owners , for it is holden in Chivalrie , by an entire Knights Fee ; and a Free-warren which was formerly granted to it , is yet extant , and the Conveniences of a Park , and Conies are not wanting .

Jotes-Court in this Parish of Merworth , had , as appears by severall old Deeds , some without Date , Owners who were written Jeotes : and by contraction of the Name , call'd Jotes , but before the latter end of Richard the second , this Family was crumbled away and gone , and then it came to have the same possessors with Merworth , as namely , Fitz-Allan , Beauchampe , and Nevill : the last of which who enjoyed it , was Sir Tho. Nevil third Son of George Nevill Baron of Abergavenny , which Sir Tho. was one of the Privy Councel to Henry the eighth , and Speaker of the Parliament , and he in the thirty third year of that Prince , conveyed it by Sale to Sir Robert Southwell , who in the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth , by the same Fatalitie , passed it away to Sir Edmund Walsingham of Scadbery , whose great Grandchild Sir Tho. Walsingham Knight , hath not many years since alienated all his Concernment in it to his Son in Law , Mr. James Masters .

Swanton-Court is the last place considerable in Merworth . It lay couched in that Revenue which related to the Knights Hospitalers , untill the publique Dissolution supplanted it , and surrendred it to the Crown , and K. Henry the eighth about the thirty second year of his Raign , granted it to Sir Robert Southwell , who in the thirty fifth year of that Prince , conveyed it to Sir Edmund Walsingham of Scadbery , whose Successor Sir Thomas Walsingham of the same place , hath lately passed away all his Interest here to his Son in Law Mr. James Masters .

Roger de Merworth obtained a Market weekly , and a Fair yearly to his Mannor of Merworth , in the eighteenth year of Edward the first , as appears by an old originall patent in the hands of the Earl of Westmerland .

Middleton is so called , by Reason it is placed in the middle of the Shire , and gives Name , to the whole Hundred , which is divided , into five Baylywicks , one whereof is called the Bailiwick of Shepey , because it comprehends that Island . Antiquity has set a noble Attribute upon it , for in ancient Records it is styled Regia Villa de Middleton , and here at Kemsley Downe , derived from Campsley , viz. the pastures where the Camp was kept . Within the Parish of Middleton , is the very place , where , in the Time of King Alfred , Hasten the Dane , that so much infested France , arrived , and fortified in such manner as he before had at Apuldore , where he erected a Castle , whose Fragments and Reliques are yet visible .

Our ancient Chroniclers inform us , that this Town , was in a good Condition till the Ragin of Edward the Confessor : in whose days , during the Disgust between him and Earl Godwin , such as confederated with the Earl at home , burnt the King's House here at Middleton , a castellated Pallace beneath the Church , whilst he and his Sons ransack'd and ruin'd many other places upon the Seacoasts , and Skirts of the Shire .

In Times of a latter Date John de Burgo , the elder , had a Grant by Patent of the Mannors of Middleton , and Marden , in the second year of Edward the first : and after Margaret Queen of England , had a Grant by Patent likewise in the tenth year of Edward the second ; and after her , Queen Philippa Wife to Edward the third , had probably this Mannor in Dower , for in the nineteenth year of that King's Raign , as appears Pat. Anno 19. part . prima memb. 26. she grants it for some term of years , to William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon , with all the Liberties annexed to it , reserving only some royal Franchises , which were so inherent to the Crown , they could not be separated , for an Annual Rent of 200. lb per Annum ; after his Time was expired , it reverts to the Crown , and there it remained , for ought I can yet discover , till the English Scepter was put into the Hands of K. James , and then he grants the Mannors of Middleton and Marden for ever to Philip Earl of Pembroke not long since deceased .

There is within the Limitts of this Parish , a Mannor called Northwood Chasteners , which Name complies with the situation , for it stands North from the Town in a Wood , where Chest-Nut Trees formerly grew abundantly . Stephen the Son of Jordan de Shepey , desirous to plant himself out of the Island , in some place not far distant ; built here a Mansion-house , moated about , Ez veteri Rot. penes , Edo . Dering , Mill. & Baronettum defunctum . and a goodly well-wooded Park , stored with plenty of Deere and wild Bores , and had Licence from the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and religious Men of Christ-church , to erect a Free-Chappell , which some old People hereabouts , who remembred it in the declining Age , described to my Father when he visited Kent , to be a curious peice of Architecture for Form and Beauty . * Rog. de Northwood , is listed in the Inventory of those worthy Kentish persons , who were engaged with K. Ric. the first , at his Seige of Acon in Palestine . His Successor was Sir Rog. de Northwood , who was ever fast and faithfull to H. the third , and having always given himself to a military and martial Profession , conceived it was ignominious to hold his Lands here , by a lazy and unactive Socage Tenure , and therefore in the forty first year of Henry the third , changed them from Gavelkind to Knights Service . He dyed in the thirteenth year of Edw. the first , and his eldest Son Sir John Northwood succeeded both at Northwood and at Shorn and in the time of Ed. the first , together with his eldest son Sir Jo. de Northwood was with that K. in his Wars in Scotland , at the Seige of Carlaverock . The Mannor of Shorn holding by this Tenure viz , to carry a white Banner forty Days together at their own Charge , when the King should make War in Scotland . Sir Jo. de Northwood , was called by Writ to sit in Parliament as Baron , the first of Edw. the second , and his Son John de Northwood was often summoned to sit as Baron in Parliament , in the raign of Ed. the third . Certainly a numerous Race of worthy Successors were Possessors of this Mannor of Northwood some of which lye buryed crosse-leg'd in Milton Church , that had taken upon them to defend the Sepulchre of Christ , or otherwise profest themselves for the Wars in the Holy Land . And at last it devolved to John Northwood , who ( as all things are wound upon a fixed and determined Period ) concluded in two Daughters and Coheirs , one married to Barley , of the County of Hertford , and Joan the other was matched to Sir John Norton whose Ancestors were derived from one Nicholas de Norton , who flourished in King Stephens Days , and had much Land about Norton and Feversham , as appears by the Book of St. Austins . This Sir John Norton's Son , for diverse remarkable Services performed in Flanders , was knighted by Mary Queen of Hungary , then Lady Regent of the Low-countries , for Charles the fifth , by the Name of Sir John Norton : and his Grandchild Sir Thomas Norton , some thirty five years since , alienated it to Manasser Northwood Esquire , collaterally branched out from the abovesaid John Northwood , and his Son Mr. Robert Northwood , passed away the Premises by Sale to Sir John Tufton , third Brother to Nicholas Tufton Earl of Thanet , whose second Son Sir Charles Tufton , upon the late Decease of his eldest Brother Sir Benedict is now entered upon it .

Helmes or Holmes is a Mannor , which is partly situated in Iwade , and partly in Milton , and had still the same Proptietaries , as namely Savage and then Clifford , whither for Satisfaction , I referre the Reader : only this I must add , that about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , it was rent off by Sale and planted in the Revenue of Thompson , Ancestor to Mr ...... Thompson of Royton Chappel in Lenham , who is at this instant in the enjoyment of it .

Kempsley in this Parish , puts in its Title , to be of Roman extraction , and there is something in the Name , and in the Situation , which does seem to support this originall , nor hath Time with its destructive Impressions so defaced it , but that there are some Reliques yet remaining of a Camp , and other antiquated Fortifications .

Middleton in the fifteenth of Edward the first , had a Market granted by that Prince , to be held there on the Saturday , which continues until this day .

Midley , in the Hundred of Langport , was parcell of the Inheritance of Echingham , of whom more is spoken at Jacks-court in Lidde ; from whom by Margaret Daughter and Heir of Thomas Echingham , it devolved to Walter Blount Esquire ; from him it descended to his Son Edward Blount Lord Montjoy , who deceasing without Issue , Elizabeth his Sister and Heir entered upon the Possession ; and she by matching with Andrew Windsor , after created Lord Windsor by Henry the eighth , swelled the Revenue of that Family , by the Addition of Midley ; who not long after , passed it away to Clache , by whose Daughter and Heir it came over to Stringer ; and he transferred his Right in it by Sale to Scot ; and Scot conveyed the whole Demise to Godfrey , whose Son Sir The. Godsrey , does now possesse the Signory of the Premises .

Milsted in the Hundred of Milton , though an obscure Village in it Self , yet has been anciently eminent for several noble Families which have had their Residence within the Circuit of it . For first , Hogshaws gave not only Seat but Sirname likewise to a Family of that Denomination , in whom , when it had for many years continued , Edmund Hogshaw in the eleventh year of Richard the second , passed it away to Sir Thomas Lovell , and he dyed seised of it , in the second year of Henry the fourth , and Thomas Lovell was his Heir ; after Lovell , Greaves by purchase became entituled to the Possession of it ; whose Successor Robert Greaves , in the ninth year of Henry the eighth , passed it away to Roger Wake , and this Roger Wake , in the fifteenth year of the said Prince's Government , alienated by Sale his Concernment in it to Richard Bernard ; who some few years after , devested himself of his Right in it , and sold it to Adam Henman of Lenham , where after the Title some few years had fixed , he in the twelfth year of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it over to Amias Thompson , and he gave it in Dower with his Daughter Alice Thompson , to Sir John Tooke , from whom in the memory of these Times , it devolved by Descent , to his Son Captain Nicholas Tooke , who passed it away by Sale to Mr. Richard Tilden .

Then we have here secondly another place , which in some old Evidences , is represented under the Name of Nottingham Court , though now it bears the Name of Higham . It was the Residence of a noble Family called Nottingham , who were Owners of a large Patrimony in this Track , and their Armes stand yet in old coloured Glasse in Milsted Church , viz. Paly wavee of four pieces , Gules and Artent . The last of which , was John Nottingham , who expired in a Daughter and Heir , called Eleanor Nottingham , who by matching with Simon Cheney , second Son of Sir Richard Cheney of Shurland , brought this and a large Demeasne with it , to acknowledge the Signiory of that Family , in which Name without any Vicissitude to transplant the Title it is fixed at this day .

Milton Septuans in the Hundred of Westgate , was anciently a Parish , See more of this Family at Thurnham . and had a Church , appertaining to it , though now by disuse it be languished into decay , and shrunk into so narrow an Estimate , that it has left only an Oratory or little Chappel , which is yet visible to instruct us , what was its former Glory , which certainly was of no inconsiderable Account , when it was the Seat of the elder House of Septuans , who made this their Residence . For William Septuans , Son of William Septuans , had here is Habitation , when he was Sheriff of Kent , which was in the fourth year of Richard the second : but long after this Man , did it not continue in the Name of Septuans : for this Family , as to that Branch of it , which was planted at this place , shrunk into a Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Sir Francis Fogge , and so this place fell under his Revenue . And from him descended Sir Will . Fogge ; whose Successor Sir John Fogge of Repton Knight , passed this away to Sir George Brown of Bechworth Castle ; in whom it remained , till this Mans Grandchild Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth aforesaid , partly sold it , and partly gave it in Dower , with his Daughter Elizabeth Brown , to Sir Robert Honywood of Charing , whose eldest Son by this Match , Sir Thomas Honywood of Marks Hall in Essex , is now planted in the Fee-simple of it .

Moldash in the Hundred of Felborough , is a Branch of the Mannor of Chilham : but yet there is the Mannor of Flemings aliàs Bowers , for so it is styled in Records and Court-rolls , which deserves our Notice . It was in the year 1019 , as an ancient Court-roll , now in the Hands of Mr. Chapman does inform me , in the Hands of John de Fleming , and probably , here it remained diverse years , though I can discover nothing , which may evince the certainty of it ; for there is an Intermission or Gap in the Evidences . In the twenty fourth year of Henry the sixth , as appears by another ancient Court-roll , it was the Possession of John Treswenall , and in this Name it continued till the Raign of Henry the eighth ; and then it was alienated to Sir Thomas Moile ; in whose Posterity the Title and Demeasne was setled , till our Fathers memory , and then the Fee-simple was sold away to Mr. Henry Chapman .

Then secondly , there is the Mannor of Witherling , who had Owners , who bore that Sirname , and who had certainly the Possession of it , severall Generations , which is manifest from that compliance the Name had with the Mansion , though the Evidence which I have drained from the Deeds and Muniments of this place , reaches no higher then the Government of Henry the sixth : for in the thirty eighth year of that Prince's Rule , Joan Witherling the visible and only apparent Heir of this Family , transmitted her Interest in it by Sale to William Keneworth , whose Son William Keneworth by the like Fatalitie passed it away in the Raign of Henry the seventh , to John Moile of Buckwell , Esquire , extracted from the Moiles of Bodmin in Cornwall , and this John Moile in the fourth year of Henry the eighth , sold it to Hamo Vidian , a Name very ancient in Moldash , for here is a Farme which at this Day carries the Name of Vidian-Forestall and his Grandchild William Vidian at this instant enjoys the Fee-simple of it .

Mongeham , called for distinction , Great-Mongeham , to difference it from an Hamlet of that Name , styled Little-Mongeham , lies in the Hundred of Eastry , and was given to the Church by Eadbert King of Kent , for a supply both of Diet and Apparell of the Monks of St. Austins , ( as the Book of Christ-Church does insinuate ) and , upon the Dissolution of the Covent , and annexing the Demeasn to the Revenue of the Crown , it was by Henry the eighth , in the thirty third year of his Raign , granted to the Dean and Chapter of Christ-Church , who conveyed it in Lease to John Fropchunt , from whom by Purchase it was brought over to Gibs , and is now the Patrimony and Hereditarie Right of Crayford , a Name of deep and Extraction in this Territorie , by Purchase from the above recited Family .

There is a place in this Parish called Fogs-Court , which is Register'd in the Inventorie of the Mannors of this County ; and although the Mansion-House which belongs to it , be fallen into so low a degree of Contempt , that it appears now to be litle more than a Caberet or Cottage , yet it calls for some Remembrance , even in this respect , that it was the Patrimony of that noble and Illustrious Family , and is the only Place of this County which I have yet met with , that is adopted into their Sirname , from Tho. Fogge Esq ; Serjeant Porter of Callis , who was the last of this Name which possest it : by Alice Fogge his Daughter and Coheir , it came to be the Inheritance of her Husband William Scot , and in this Family did the Patrimonial Interest of it reside , till almost in our Memory , the Signory and Propriety of it was from this Family by Sale translated into Mr. Philip Pownall of Sibertswould .

Great-Barville partly lying in Mongeham , and partly in Tilmanston , is the third place considerable in Mongeham . It hath been for many Descents , which have made up some Centuries of years , the Possession of Crayford , which are written in Deeds of a very high Ascent , de Barville Magna : In an old Roll which summs up those Kentish Gentlemen , who were with Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick , at the Battle of North-Hampton , ( where after a warm and Bloody Debate , the Title of the House of York by a glorious Victory was evidently asserted . ) There is mention of William Crayford Esquire , who afterwards ( as some private Evidences inform me , now in the hands of Mr. Gethins neer Burntwood ) was made Bannerett by King Edward the fourth , for his various undertakings and Services performed in several Encounters , which had an Influence upon the Cause and Quarrell of the House of York , and bore ( as is manifest by his Seal affixed to several Deeds ) Vpon a Cheveron , three Eagles heads cresed , which I mention , to rectifie that ●istake which through inadvertency , hath crept into our Visitations of Kent , wher●●he paternall Coat of this Family is represented to have been Vpon a Cheveron , t●●●● Falcons heads erased ; and from this eminent Person is Mr. Wil. Crayford Lord of th● Mannor in expectance , by a Thread of direct Descent , originally extracted .

Mongeham had an an●●ent Market by prescription on the Thursday , and Bertram de Crioll had a Grant of i● by the Charter of Henry the third , which was allowed by the Judges Itinerant ●n the seventh year of Edward the first , and a Fair yearly , by the space of three Dayes , viz. the Eve , St. Luke's day , and the day after .

Little-Barville is partly Situated in this Parish , and partly in Tilmanston . A Family called Pix , and sometimes Picks , were for some Centuries of years , invested in the Possession , and contracted this Name , from some Office ( as the Successive Tradition of this Family affirms ) that they were anciently entrusted with , about the Altar , and the Utensils which related to it , amongst which , the Pix was the most considerable , as being the Conservatory of the Host ; and so è Pixide nomen elicitum , from their Care and Custody of the Pix , they originally assumed their Sirname : But to proceed ; after this Mannor had for so many Descents , acknowledged this Name and Family , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , by Sale it came to confess the Signory of Crayford of Great-Barville , with whose Revenue the Title and Propriety does at this instant continue .

Little-Mongeham next offers it self up to our consideration : but of that , I shall speak more at Northbourne .

Morston in the Hundred of Milton , gave Seat and Sirname to a Family that fell under that Appellation , as is evident by the Book of Aid , where John de Morston is affirmed to have held it , and to have paid an Auxiliary Contribution for it at the making the Black Prince Knight . He was descended from Bartholomew de Morston , who is in the list of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted King Richard the first , at the Siege of Acon ; But before the latter end of Richard the second , this Family was worn out , and then it fell under the Signory of Walter Fitz Walter of Essex , who had beenin elder Times summoned frequently by Writ to sit as Baron in Parliament , and from the abovesaid Walter , did this Mannor by paternal devolution come down to his Son Humphrey Fitzwalter , and he held it at his Death , which was in the first year of Henry the sixth and had Issue John Fitzwalter , who about the latter end of the abovesaid Prince , alienated it by Sale to Cromer , in which Family the possession was constant and resident , untill the latter end of King James , and then Sir James Cromer dying without Issue-male , Christian one of his Daughters and Coheirs , by matching with Sir John Hales upon the distinction of the Estate into parcells , was united to the Patrimony of that Family , from whom the Right by Descent is now transmitted to the instant Proprietarie Sir Edward Hales , his Son and Heir , Baronet .

Esthall is another Mannor in Morston , which although it be now by the Vicissitude of Time , and the injurious Impressions of Age , shrunk from its elder Beauty , into decay and Neglect ; yet in Ages of a higher date , it was adorned with a nobler Character of Splendor , when it confessed it self to be parcell of the Inheritance of an ancient Family called De la pine , ( so they are written in their old dateless Deeds ) and bore for their Arms Sable , three Pine Apples Or. James De la pine was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty sixth , and part of the twenty seventh years of Edward the third , and held his Shrievalty here at Esthall , and died possest of it in the thirty seventh year of the abovesaid Prince , and left it to his Son and Heir Thomas De la pine , who about the beginning of Richard the second , conveyed his Title and Concernment in it to Thomas St. Leger Esquire , Sheriff of Kent in the twentieth year of Richard the second , who dying without Issue-male , Joan , one of his Daughters and Coheirs , by matching with John Ewias , linked it to the Demeasn of that Name , and from him did it transmit it self by Descent , to his Son and Heir Humphrey Ewias , who was seised of it at his Decease , which was in the thirty third year of Henry the sixth , and from him by a Thread of paternal Succession , was it transported to his Grandchild William E●ias in whom the Male-line determined , so that by Alice his Daughter and Heir , it came to confess the Signory of Thomas Hales , who in the sixth year of Edward the sixth by a Fine and recovery wherein his Wife was concern'd , passed away the whole De●●se to Sir Anthony Aucher , whose Son , Sir Anthony Aucher , in the ninth year of Quee● Elizabeth , by the same conveyance alienated it to Gardiner , where the Title was so ●●●atile and mutable that it stayed with this Family , but untill the tenth year of the ab●●●said Princess , and then it was transplanted by Sale into John Norden , who in our ●●●●dfathers memory demised it to Pordage , Predecessor to Mr ........ Pordage of R●●●ersham , who is now entitled to the Fee-simple of it .

Mere-Court is a third place of Account in this Parish , calle● 〈◊〉 from its Situation near the Sea , which our Saxon Ancestors called Mere , and is c●●●●marily used in that sense , for any wast heap of Waters , as Lakes , and Pools , that are 〈◊〉 all sides lockt in by the Land , by the Dutch to this day . But I cannot find that it ev●● had any Possessors that extracted their Sirname from hence ; for in the Raign of Edward the third , I find Arnold de Savage held it , and so did his Grandchild Eleanor Savage , who was matched to William Clifford , and he by this Alliance , became invested in the Possession , and in this Family did the Title lie couched , untill the beginning of Henry the seventh , and then I can track no farther Evidence of their Possession of this place : In the Raign of Edward the sixth , I find it to be invested in the Name of Croft ; and remained tied to the Patrimony of that Family , untill David Crofts died in the twenty second year of Queen Elizabeth , and left it to Jo. Croft , Helen and Margaret , his Daughters ; and they , upon the death of their Brother , who was an Ideot , becomming Joynt-heirs to this place , in the forty second year of Q. Elizabeth , passed it away to Mr. Stephen Hulks , who bequeathed it to his Son and Heir Mr. Jo. Hulks , and he upon his Decease , which was not many years since , gave it to his second Son Mr. Charles Hulks , who now is in Fruition of it .

N. N. N. N.

NAtindon in the Hundreds of Bridge , Petham , and Whitstaple , is an obscure Village , not far remote from Canterbury , and only calls for some Remembrance in this respect , that the Mannor of Staplegate is situated within the Limits of it , which was the Seat of an eminent Family which bore that Sirname , who were Lords not onely of this Place , but of much other Land in Romney Mersh ; and had certainly this Denomination ingrafted originally upon them , because they collected the Kings profits and Customes arising out of the Staple of Wooll , fixed at Staplegate in Canterbury . The first of this Family whom I find eminent is Edmund Staplegate , who paid respective Aid for his Mannor of Bilsington and his other Lands in Kent , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight ; and he was Father to Edmund Staplegate , who at the Coronation of Richard the second , held that signall Contest before John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , then High Steward at that solemn Inthronization , with Richard Earl of Arundell about the Office of Chief Butler , as I have before mentioned in Bilsington . But to return to that Discourse from whence this emergent Controversie did divert me , Edmund Staplegate in the thirteenth year of Richard the second , enjoyed this Mannor at his Death : but after his Deeease , the Title was not long liv'd in this Name , for in the Raign of Henry the fifth , and Henry the sixth , ( as appears by the Testimony of ancient Court Rolls ) it was in the Possession of Leichfield , who was Master of much Land about Tilmanston and Betshanger , and in the twenty second year of Ed. the fourth , it was by Roger Lichfield passed away by Sale to William Haut Esquire , Father to Sir William Haut , in whom the male-line determined , so that by Elizabeth his Daughter and Coheir , it came to be the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury , who about the first year of Edward the sixth , alienated it to Philip Chowte Esquire , and from him the like Fate bore off the Title to Sir Anthony Aucher , and he about the latter end of Edward the sixth , disposed of his Right in it to Sir James Hales of the Dungeon , Ancestor to Sir James Hales of the same place , who not many years since , demised the Premises to Mr. Smith of High-Gate ; upon whose late Decease , the Title like a Pythagorean-Soul is transmigrated into his Heir .

Nettlested in the Hundred of Twyford , was the ancient Seat of the noble and ancient Family of Pimpe . William de Pimpe , paid respective Aid , for this Mannor and other Lands , which lay not far distant from this place , which he held by a whole Knights Fee , at the making the Black Prince Knight , the twentieth of Edward the third ; Reginald Pimpe was his Son and Heir , and served out the Office of high Sheriff of Kent for him , in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , in which year he dyed . It is probable that this William was knighted , because there is a Tombe , in Nettlested Church , with this Inscription affixed to his Tombe-stone : Hic jacet Domina Margareta de Cobham , quondam Vxor Willielmi Pimpe , Militis ; quae obiit 4 Septembris 1337. From whence it may be probably collected , that the above recited William Pimpe , though he is not mentioned as a Knight in the Register of the Sheriffs , yet afterwards for some exemplary Services by him performed and managed , might be invested with the Order of Knighthood . From this Man in the continued Succession of a direct Line , See more of Pimp in my Discourse of Sea-watches . did Reginald Pimpe descend , who determined in Ann Pimpe who was his Sole Heir , and so this ancient Family which had under a venerable Character of Antiquity , for so many Ages flourished at this place , as the Monuments in the Church , not yet dismantled , do sufficiently evince , was about the latterend of Henry the seventh extinguished ; and Nettlested fell under the Patrimony of John Scott of Scotts Hall from whom Edw. Scot Esquire , is lineally extracted ; and in Relation to this Alliance , is the instant Proprietary of Nettlested .

Lomewood is a second place of Account in Nettlested it belonged formerly to a Cloister of black Cannons in Oxford , dedicated to St. Friswith , which being suppressed by Cardinal Wolsey , in the year 1525 , when he intended to erect the magnificent Fabrick of the Colledge of Christ-church , this Mannor was resigned up to the Crown ; and was by King Henry the eighth , in the twenty seventh year of his raign , granted to Sir Edward Nevill , who gave it in Martiage with his Daughter Katharine Nevill , espoused to John Roydon Esquire , of Roydon-Hall , in great Peckham ; and he determining in Elizabeth Roydon his Sole Heir , she by matching with Roger Twisden Esquire , planted it in his Revenue ; and from him hath the Interest of Descent transported it along to his Grandchild Sir Roger Twisden of Roydon Hall Knight and Baronet .

Newenden in the Hundred of Selbrittenden , was erected in the place where the old Roman City of Anderida was situated , and was called by the Britons Caer Andred , very aptly by Leland , styled in Latine , Noviodunum , from the Saxon , Nywandun , in English by Corruption called Newenden , which in the original imports as much as The new Hill in the Valley .

This was that Station and City of the Romans mentioned in the Banner of the Count , or Lord Warden of the Saxon Shore , by Pancerollus in his Book called Notitia Provinciarum , under the Name of Anderida , and sometimes written Anderidos ; and here was the Castle which the Saxons called Andreds Ceaster ; and the great Wood , which stretched out in length , from hence into Hampshire , 80. miles was named Andreds-wald , and by the Britons Coid Andred , other reasons are laid down for the Identity of the place , extracted from the Name which the English Saxons gave it , who termed it Brittenden , that is , The Britons Vale , from whence the whole Hundred adjoyning is called Sellbrittenden , that is , The Britons Woody Vale.

Here for Defence of the Coast , against the Eruptions of Saxon Rovers , the Romans placed the Prapositus Numeri Abulcorum , and hither the River of Lymen , long since called Rother , was sufficiently Navigable . But soon after the Romans deserted Brittain , it shrunk into Decay , being ruined by the English Saxons ; and yet a marke of the Losse , is covertly couched , under the Name of the principal Mannor , called Losenham , of which something is to be remembred , when we have done with the History of this place , which I have thus abbreviated . Hengist , being fully determined to expell all the Britons out of Kent , and thinking it would much conduce to the improvement of his Design , to recruite his Army with Troops of his own Nation , called Ella the Founder of the South-Saxon Kingdome , and his three Sons with a strong Power out of Germanie , and then gave a sharp Assault against this Anderida , but was intercepted at that instant in his Designe , by those vigorous Impressions , which the Britons out of their Ambushments in the Woods then made upon him . In Fine , after many Prejudices and Losses both given and taken : Hengist divided his Army , and not onely discomfited the Britons in the adjacent wood but also at the same Time , forced the City by Assault , and became so enflamed with revenge , that nothing but the Extinction of the Inhabitants , by a publick slaughter , and the totall demolishing of the Town , could supersede or allay so great an Animosity . The place lying thus desolate , was shewed ( as Henry of Huntingdon reports ) many Ages after , to inquisitive Passengers , till in the year 791 , King Offa gave this and other Lands to the Arch-bishop and Monks of Canterbury , ad Pascua Porcorum , for the Pannage of their Hoggs .

In the Time of the Conquerour , the Arch-bishops and Monks of Canterbury , held this Mannor of Newenden ; and it was rated in the extent of it , but at one Sulling , and was an Appendage to Saltwood , and in the Patrimony of the Church did the Title of it remain locked up , till the general Dissolution in the Raign of Henry the eighth , and then it was unloosned , and by Act of Parliament fastned to the Revenue of the Crown , where , till these infortunate Times , it did successively continue .

Losenham in this Parish , was the ancient Seat of the Auchers , an eminent and numerous Family ; this was both in Kent , Sussex , Nottingham , and Essex ; where they made Coppt-Hall by Epping , the Seat and Head of their Barony , and it is very probable , they derive this their Name , from Aucherus that was Consul or Elderman of Kent , and led the power of the County , wherewith , at Richborough , nere Sandwich , he foiled and defeated the Danes , as Alfred of Beverley writes . In the Book called Nova Feoffamenta , collected in the Raign of Henry the second , it is there recorded that that Prince , Rot. pipae de Scutagio Walliae An. 42 Hen. 3. gave William Fitz Aucher , the fourth part of a Knights Fee in Essex , called Lagfare . Richard Fitz Aucher his Grandchild , is in the Number of those Kentish Gentlemen , who were engaged with Henry the third , in his Expedition into Wales , in the forty second year of his Raign . Will . Fitz Aucher , See Camdens Britannia pag. 307. another of this Family , held the Mannor of Boseham in Sussex , by Grant from William the Conquerour , and his Rent-service or Acknowledgement , was to pay into the Exchequer ( in whose Time he lived ) forty pound of tryed and weighted Silver . Henry Fitz Aucher , fills up the Roll or Inventory of those Kentish Gentlemen , who assisted Edward the first , at his Seige of Carlaverok in Scotland , in the twenty eighth year of his Raign , and for his Service there , was made Knight Banneret . Peter Aucher or Auger ( for so in old Records they are promiscuously written ) was Valet to King Edward the second ( an Office equivalent in its Trust and Dignity , to those we called Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber to our late Kings ) and it seems was mistaken for a Knight Templer , in the fourth year of that Prince , because he nourished a spreading Beard ( in that Age an eminent Adjunct of that Order ) : but Edward the second rectified this Mistake , and affirmed , that his diffused Beard , did not evince he was a Knight Templer , as appears Pat. 14. Hen. 2. parte secunda Memb. 20. And if it could any way multiply , or improve the Eminence of a Family , that was so deeply rooted in Antiquity before , I could tell you , that sundry of this Name and Family , were Conservators of the Peace , and concerned in other Comissions , both to levy Taxes , imposed by Parliament , and to have Inspection into Sewers , both in the Raign of Edward the third , and Richard the second : but I avoid the recital , lest this Book might swell into too large a Bulk by these curious and unnecessary Disquisitions . It is enough to inform you , that after this Mannor had for many Centuries of years been wrapt up in the Patrimony of this Family , it went away by Ann Sole Daughter and Heir of John Aucher of Losenham , to Walter Colepeper , second Son of Sir John Colepeper , of Bayhall in Pepenbury ; from which Alliance , Sir John Colepeper created Lord Colepeper at Oxford , by the late K. Charles , claims at this instant the Inheritance and Lordship of Losenham .

There was in this Parish , a House of Carmelite Friers , called so , because they came from Mount Carmel in Palestine , and was the first Seminary of that Order here in England , who , by their Rule were styled , Brothers of Mary the blessed Virgin , to whom this Covent was dedicated . It was founded in the year of our Lord , 1241 , and in the twenty sixth year of the Government of Henry the third , by Sir Thomas Alcher or Fitz Aucher , for the Name was often promiscuously written so , but never Albuser , as Mr. Camden , and Mr. Speed , have printed it , though , I do not deny , but such a person might be a Benefactor to the Foundation .

Newenham in the Hundred of Feversham , was parcell of that Demeasn , which related to the Abbey of Boxley , and continued united to it , till the Suppression by Henry the eighth ; and then it was granted by that Prince to Sir Thomas Wiatt , in the twenty eighth year of his Government , and he by his unhappy Defection in the first year of Queen Mary , forfeited it to the Crown , where it remained till Queen Elizabeth by royal Concession , invested the Possession in her faithfull Servant John Astley Esquire , Master or Conservator of her Jewells , whose Son Sir Jo. Astley upon his Decease , bequeathed it to his Nephew Sir Norton Knatchbull Knight and Baronet , who is the instant Proprietarie of it .

Champions-Court is the second place of Account in this Parish : It was in elder Times the Mansion and Demeasne of a generous Family , whose Sirname was Campania , and was certainly a Family of eminence in elder Times . Robert de Campania , is inserted in the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen , who accompanied Richard the first , to the Seige of Acon . John de Campania his Grandchild , obtained the Grant of a Market to Newenham weekly on the Thursday , and a Fair yearly to continue the Vigil , the Day of St. Peter and Paul , and the Day after ; and was one of those Knights of Kent , who was embarked in the Seige of Carlaverock in Scotland , with Edward the first , in the twenty eighth year of his Raign . In Times of a younger Aspect , the Name by Depravation , and vulgar Use languished into Champion ; and so continued , till it expired in Daughters and Coheirs , one of which was Katharine Champion , who by matching with Robert Corbett , descended from the Corbetts of Morton Corbett , in the County of Salop ; upon the Division of Champions Estate , united this to his Revenue , where it had not long rested , but the same vicissitude brought this Name to determine in female Coheirs likewise , two of which called Joan , and Elizabeth , were espoused to Samuell Slap , and Ralph Hart. Samuell Slap had Issue Joan Slap , who dyed childlesse ; and so this Mannor was cast into the Possession of Richard Hart Son of Ralph Hart ; the Successor of Richard Hart , in our Fathers Memory , alienated his Interest in it , to Sir Henry Spiller , and he not many years since , conveyed all his Right and Title to it by Sale , to Mr. Weckerlin , descended from the Weckerlins , a Family of good Ranke and Account in Upper Germany .

A third place of Note in Newenham , is Sholand , which was in the Raign of H. the third , as an old datelesse Deed discovers to us the Patrimony of Adam de Stomynton : and after this Name went out , the Bournes of Sharsted in Dodington , not far removed from this place , were about the twentieth year of Edward the third , possest of this Lordship ; from them by purchase the Propriety was carried over to Chevin , descended from the Chevins of Chevins-court in Marden , and Thomas Chevin of this place , married Thomasin , Coheir of Champion , of Champions Court in this Parish . From Chevin the Interest of Sholand did descend by Sale to Maycott ; and from them by the same Fate to Adye , a Family of Note and very much Antiquity as to the Name , in this Track , whose Right it had not long acknowledged , but by the same Devolution , the Title was invested in Steere ; from whom by Purchase it came over to Sayers descended from those of York-shire , who , in that Age our Fathers lived in , sold his Concernment in it to Mr. Hugison of Dover , in whose Heirs the Propriety of this place , is at this instant resident .

Newington-Belhouse , lies in the Hundred of Folkston , and was in the Raign of King John and Henry the third , the Possession of Hubert de Burgo Lord Chief Justice of England , and from him it descended to his Son John de Burgo , who in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third , passed it away by Sale to Thomas de Belhouse , by the Name of Newington juxta Hieth . And probably this may be a Reason , why this Family after they had adopted this Mannor into their own Name , assumed a Coat which had some Affinitie with that of Hubert de Burgo , videlicet . Or , upon a bend Gules three Lozinges Argent and Gules , which I suppose was done to preserve the Memory of him , of whom it was first purchased . But to proceed , Sir Thomas de Belhouse great Grandchild of the above-mentioned , paid respective Aid for this Mannor by the Name of Newington-Belhouse , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight , and died possest of it in the forty eighth year of that Princes Raign from whom a descendant Right brought it down to his Heir John de Belhouse , who enjoyed it so narrow a space of Time , that it is left upon Record that he died seised of it in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , and Robert Knevit a younger Son of Sir John Knevit Lord Chancellor of England , who had married the Heir Generall of this Family , was found to be his Heir , and it was this Robert , or else probably his Son , who in the seventh year of Henry the fourth , had a Patent of Confirmation of Liberty of Free-warren to his Lands at Newington formerly granted to Thomas de Belhouse . After the Line of the Knevits was extinguished at this place , which was about the beginning of Henry the eighth , this Mannor devolved to the Cloptons : for Edmund Knevit of Stanwaymagna in Essex , had three Sisters who were Coheirs to him and their Father Edward Knevit Esquire ; Thomasin the eldest was matched to Sir William Clopton of Kentwell in Suffolk for his second Wife ; and Katharine the second Sister was married to John Clopton Esq ; eldest Son of the above-said Sir William ; and Dorothy the third , was matched to Thomas Carnaby : but these desiring to Contract all their Patrimony within the Verge of Suffolk , alienared this Mannor in the twenty seventh year of King Henry the eighth , with much of their Land in the Mersh , to Thomas Lord Cromwell , who being attainted in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth , this Mannor escheated to the Crown , and lay couched in its Revenue , untill the first year of Queen Mary , and then it was granted to Edward Lord Clinton , who in the last year of the above-said Princesse , conveyed it with all its perquisites to Henry Herdson , whose Grandchild Francis Herdson almost in that Age we entitle to our Fathers Remembrance , alienated it to Mr. Henry Brockman , Grandfather to the instant Proprietarie James Brockman Esquire .

Sene and Bithborough were two ancient Seats which related to the Knightly Family of Valoigns , of whom I shall speak more in my Discourse of Petham , but before the latter end of Edward the third , this Family was extinguished , and then one of the two Daughters and Coheirs upon the Distinction of the Estate parcells , brought these two places to be the Inheritance of Sir Francis Fogge , who lies buried Cross-legg'd in Cheriton-Church , with the Arms of Fogge and Valoigns empal'd upon his Tombe ; and from him did the Propriety and Title in an uninterupted Channell stream down to George Fogge Esquire , who alienated Sene in our Grandfathers Memory to Honywood , and Bithborough to Mr. Henry Brockman , who added much to the ancient Building , so that it is now become the Seat of that Family .

Bertrams in Newington is so called because it was parcell of the Estate of Bertram de Crioll who died possest of it in the twenty third year of Edward the first , and left it to Joan his Heir , espoused to Sir Richard de Rokesley , by whose Sole Inheritrix likewise called Joan , it was linked to the Demeasn of Sir Thomas de Poynings , from whom the Clew of Descent guided it down to Sir Edward Poynings , who dying in the twelfth of Henry the eighth without any lawfull Issue , or any visible kindred that could pretend a Title to the Estate , it lapsed to the Crown ; and Henry the eighth granted it to Thomas Lord Cromwell upon whose attainder it being again escheated , Queen Mary in the first year of her Rule granted it to Edward Lord Clinton , who in the last year of that Princess , passed it away to Mr. Henry Herdson , whose grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson conveyed it by Sale to Mr. Henry Brockman , in whose Grandchild Mr. James Brockman the instant Inheritance is fixed .

Blackose is another little Mannor in Newington which as Sadrach Petit's Inquest an Authentick Manuscript informs me , was as high as the raign of Henry the third , the Possession of Nicholas de Morehall , a Family who were owners of much Land at Folkstone , and elsewhere in this Track : and in this Name did it continue untill the latter end of Richard the second , and then it was transmitted by Sale to William Edwy , who paid a proportionate Aid for it at the Marriage of Blanch Daughter of Henry the fourth , in the fourth year of his raign , from whence much of our Land in Kent which was rated at the same Time , and upon the same Design , hath assumed the Appellation of Blanch-Lands . After Edwy went out , which was in the raign of Edward the fourth , it became the Possession of Wreake , and Thomas Wreake , ( as the abovesaid Sidrach Petit who lived in that Age instructs me ) exchanged it with Will . Warham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and continued annexed to the Demeasn of that See , until the great Exchange made by Tho. Cranmer in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth , with that Prince , and then it was made the Demeasn of the Crown ; and after some brief abode there , was granted away to John Honywood Esquire .

Newchurch in Romney Mersh , gives Denomination to the whole Hundred wherein it is situated , and dilates and spreads it self into several places , which call for some Remembrance . The first is Peckmanston , which was , as high as the Rayes or Light of any Evidence can direct to a Discovery , the Inheritance of the Lords Leybourne , and was annexed to that vast Revenue , which they entituled themselves to , in this County ; and so continued , till Sir Roger de Leybourne , left this with much other Land , to his Sole Daughter and Heir Juliana , married to William Lord Clinton Earl of Huntington , who dyed in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third , but without Issue by this Lady , who deceasing likewise not long after , the Crown , upon a Serious and solemne Disquisition , discovering none , that upon the Stock of any collateral Alliance , could pretend to her Estate , seised upon it as an Escheat ; and King Richard the second , in the eleventh year of his Government , granted it to the Abbey of Childrens Langley , amongst whose Revenue it rested , till the Dissolution of that Covent , and after that King Henry the eighth by royal Donation , planted the Possession , in the thirty fifth year of his Raign , in Sir Thomas Moile , a Gentleman in those Times , of principal Estimate in this County , and of the Privie Councel to that Prince ; from whom , by Amy his Daughter and Coheir , it came suddenly after , to be the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Kempe , who in the raign of Queen Elizabeth , sold it to Thomas Smith Farmer of the Customes to that Princesse , and he bequeathed it to his third Son Sir Rich. Smith by whose Daughter and Coheir , the Title and Right of it at this instant , is lodged in Mr. Barrow of Suffolke .

Est-Bridge in this Parish , is a second place which exacts our Remembrance . This with Honychild in St. Maryes Parish , likewise in Romney Mersh , did anciently belong partly to the Abby of Bradsole ailàs St. Radigunds in Dover , and partly to the Knights of St. Jo. which upon the general Suppression in the twenty ninnth year of H. the eighth of all religious Cloisters and Seminaries , were swallowed up in the Demeasne of the Crown , and lay there , till E. the sixth , granted them in Lease to Cuthbert Vaughan Esq , who afterwards in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth , purchased the Fee-simple of them , of the Crown , and upon his Decease which happened not long after , disposed of Honychild , to his Son in Law Roger Twisden Esquire , and Est-Bridge , Sir Will . Twisden , ●old Honychild to Sir Will . Sydley Grandfather to Sir Charles Sydley the instant Owner , to his Wives Son Richard Dering Esquire , in Right of which original Donation , Sir Edward Dering , of Surrenden Dering in Pluckley , Baronet , great Grandchild of this Mr. Richard Dering is present Possessor of this Mannor of Est-Bridge .

Thirdly Silwell in this Parish , is not to be omitted , it was in elder Generations an Appendage or Limbe , which made up the Body of that plentifull Income , which appertained to the Abbey of Boxley , in this County , and upon the Dissolution , was ( with much other of the Church Demeasn ▪ by Henry the eighth ) granted to Walter Henley Esquire , after created Sir Walter Henley , and one of the Privy Councell to Henry the eighth , and Edward the sixth . But as though there had been some fatall malediction , which like original Sin did cleave to the Possesssion , he left no Issue-male to enjoy that large Patrimony , he had thus archieved , but concluded in three Daughters and Coheirs , Elizabeth matched to William Waller of Grome-Bridge , Helen first married to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire , Secondly , to Sir George Somerset ; and Thirdly , to Thomas Vane of Burston in Hunton Esq ; and then Anne wedded to Richard Covert of Slaugham in Sussex Esq ; who shared by these matches and alliances , a considerable part of his Inheritance , in which this Mannor of Sylwell was involved .

Newington in the Hundred of Milton has the Addition of Lucies prefixed before it , to distinguish it from Newington , in the Hundred of Street . It was the Ancient Patrimony of the Noble Family of Lucy ; the first whom I find amongst Records of deep Antiquity , was extracted out of Normandy : within the Precincts of which Province , or upon the Verge and Margent of it , there is a Signory of that Name yet existent . G. de Lucy ( so he is written in the most authentick Copies of the Battle Abby Roll ) entered England with William the Conqueror . Fulbert de Lucy , and in some old Registers written Sir Fulbert , changed his Name of Lucy , into that of Dover , when he was by William the Conqueror made one of the Assistants to John de Fiennes , in the Guard of Dover-Castle , having fifteen Knights Fees assigned to him in that Track , for the Support of his Dignity and Trust . * * See Seldens Titles of Honor pag. 644. William de Dover was one of the Magnates or Peers , who was Teste to the Charter of Maud the Empresse , whereby she creates Miles of Gloucester , Earl of Hereford . Hugh de Dover was Sheriff of Kent , the eighth , ninth , tenth , eleventh , twelfth , thirteenth , and fourteenth years of Henry the second . Sir Richard de Lucy was Lord chief Justice and Protector of England , in the Raign of the above mentioned Prince , of whom I have more largely discoursed at Lesnes in Erith . * * Ex veteri Rot. penes Edo . Dering Mil. & Baonettum , defunctum . Aymer de Lucy , was with Richard the first in Palestine , at the Seige of Acon , and in Memory of some Signal Service manifested there in that holy Quarrel , added the Crosse Crosselets unto his Paternal Coat , which was before only three Pisces Lucii , that is Pike Fish . Geffrey de Lucy was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament , as Baron , in the Raign of Edward the first , as the Rols of Summons , which relate to that King's Time , now preserved in the Tower , sufficiently inform us : This Geffrey with his two Brothers , Aymery and Thomas de Lucy , were engaged with Edward the first , at the Seige of Carlaverock in Scotland , in the twenty eighth year of his Raign , and there received the Order of Knighthood . They were Sons to Geffrey de Lucy , who was constituted High Admiral of England , in the Time of Henry the third , as appears Pat. 8. Hen. 3. Memb. 4. William and Anthony Lucy , both of this Family , were frequently summoned to sit in Parliament , as Barons in the Raign of Edw. the third . In the sixth year of Edward the third , Geffrey de Lucy ( who held Lucy's at his Death , which was in the twentieth year of that Monarch ) had a Charter of Free-warren to this Mannor , which priviledge was renued and confirmed by Henry the sixth to Sir Walter Lucy , in the 27. year of his Raign , in which year he dyed , and left his estate here to his Son Sir Jeffery Lucy , who with his Sole Daughter and Heir Mawd Lucy , transmitted this Mannor to her Husband Sir William Vaux of the County of North-Hampton , whose Son Thomas Vaux alienated it about the twenty seventh year of the Raign of Henry the eighth , to Sir Roger Cholmeley a younger Branch of the Cholmeleys of Cholmeley in Cheshire : from which Family in our Grand-fathers Memory , it was by Sale passed away to Sead , and from Sead by as quick a vicissitude it came over by purchase to Osborne , by whom not many years since it was sold to Pagitt of London .

Tracies is a second place in this Parish , which comes within this List ; it was in elder Times the Inheritance of a Family of that Appellation . John de Tracy was Teste to an old Deed of Richard de Lucy , which I have seen , wherein he demises some Land to William de Frogenhall , the Deed is without Date ; but by the Antiquity of the Character seems to commence from the Raign of Henry the third : Whether these Tracies were extracted from the Tracies of Devon and Gloucestershire , or not , I cannot positively determine , because these of Kent , bore a different Coat from the other , as appears by all old Ordinaries , Vid. Argent , two Bends between nine Escollops Gules : After the Tracies had left the possession of this place , which was about the Beginning of Henry the fourth ; the Colepepers of Bedgebury were by purchase seised of the Fee-simple of it , but staid not long in the Fruition of it ; for in the Raign of Henry the sixth , the Cliffords of Bobbing Court , not far distant ; from whom by Sale in the Raign of Henry the eighth , it fell under the Signory of Thomas Linacre Priest .

Frogenhall in this Parish likewise was a Branch of that wide Demeasne , which lay diffused in this Territory , and did acknowledge it self to be of the possession of the Ancient Family of Frogenhall , whose Seat was in Frogenhall in Tenham : but whether this were the Land which I mentioned to be by Deed transmitted to William de Frogenhall , in the time of Henry the third , by Sir Richard de Lucy , I cannot positively determine , though it was probable it was , and that afterwards , as was usuall in those Times , to perpetuate the Memory of the Possessor , William de Frogenhall . fixed his own Name upon it . And in this Family did the Possession continue , till Thomas Frogenhall concluded in three Co-heirs , of which Elizabeth was one , who matched with John Northwood of Milton , and so linked it to the Inheritance of that Family , where it had not long remained when a semblable Fatality brought this Family likewise to expire in Daughters and Co-heirs ; so that this place came by Joane , one of them , to be the Fee-simple of Sir John Norton , but was not long resident in this Family ; for he , about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , conveyed it to Thomas Linacre Priest , above mentioned , who dying in the seventeenth year of the above-recited Prince , gave both Tracies and Frogenhall for ever to augment the Revenue of All-souls Colledge in Oxford .

The Mannor of Newington it self belonged ( as an Ancient Manuscript , now in my Custody , informs me ) to a Nunnery which was erected here in this Parish , but by whom it was founded or endowed is unknown : only this Manuscript I mentioned before , rehearses a direful Tragedy , which it cites , as is pretended , out of Thorn the Chronicler of St. Augustins , and other old Manuscripts : It was this . Divers of the Nuns being warped with a malitious Desire of Revenge , took the advantage of the Night , and strangled the Lady Abbesse , who was the Object of their Fury , and passionate Animosities , in her Bed ; and after , to conceal so execrable an Assassination , threw her Body into a Pitt , which afterwards contracted the traditional Appellation of Nun-pitt ; but this barbarous offence being not long after miraculously discovered ( the Manuscript does not intimate how ; ) King Henry the third , in whose Time this Tragedy was acted , seised this Mannor into his Hands , and having by Consent of the Church transmitted the Nuns , who were culpable , to the secular power , by Death to make expiation for this Crime ; he sent the Guiltless Nuns into Shepey , and after filled their Cloister with seven secular Canons : four of which not long after ( as if some secret Impiety had lurked in the Wals of the Covent ) murdered one of the Fraternity ; upon which the King seises this Mannor again into his Hands , which he had before given back to the support of this new instituted Seminary : two parts of which laying in the Hamlet of Thetham by the two guiltlesse Canons , with the approbation of Henry the third , were assigned to the Abby of St. Augustins ( though some Writings more Ancient affirm them to be given under the Notion of two Prebendaries to that Covent ) by William the Conqueror ; and the other five parts of this Mannor , were by the abovesaid Henry the third , granted to his Lord Chief Justice , Sir Richard de Lucy , whose Son Almericus de Lucy , saies the Manuscript , did in the year 1278. exchange them with the Monks of St. Augustins . And thus was this Mannor fastned to the Patrimony of the Church , and so continued , till the General Dissolution in the Time of Henry the eighth disunited it , and linked it afterwards to the possession of the Crown , in whose Demeasne till the Death of the late King Charles , it lay , ever since the first suppression , involved .

At this Parish of Newington , not long since were digged up many Roman Urns , not far distant from the high way or common passage , it being agreeable unto Roman practice to interre in those places , where their Monuments might be obvious almost to every Eye , Memorials of themselves , and Memento's of Mortality unto living Passengers , whom the Epitaphs of great ones were fain to beg to stay and look upon them . Some of these were of a larger , and some again of a narrower Capacity , it being Customary amongst the Romans , for the Servants and Clients to obtain Repositories for their Remains in Urns of a lesser ; for the Masters and Patrons to slumber in Urns of a more wide and spatious Dimension : and many were so curious , that they contrived vast Family-Urns to continue their living Relations , wherein the Ashes of their nearest Kindred and Friends , at least some parcels of them might , as in some common Exchequer , be treasured up , that so the Union in Life might be multiplyed and inforced by an amicable Correspondence , even in the place of Sepulture ; thus the Ashes of Domitian were mingled with those of Julia , and those of Achilles slept in the same Urn with those of his Patroclus . That this Usage or Practice of the Romans extracted its pedigree from Greece is manifest : For all Authors that have taken a Prospect of the Graecian Rites of Funerals , consent that those of Megara shut up the Bones of four or five Persons in the narrow Confines of one Repertory , or Sepulchral-Urn . It is farther observable , that these Urns discovered at Newington , were several of them embroidered with particular Inscriptions ; one had Severianus pater insculped upon it , another was endorsed with Priscian , and a third with Fulvius Linus ; this also was usual amongst the Romans , not only to superscribe the Names of those whose Remains were lodged within , but likewise sometimes to devote their Dust to those Deities they called Topical Gods , such as were here , Deus Viterineus , Deus Moguntis , Deus Mounus , Dui Civitatis Brigantum , Camulus Deus Sanctus , Gadunus , &c. Sometimes they endorsed D. M. that is , Diis Manibns , and then we often meet with Patera's , or Sacrificing Dishes , Lachrymatories , Vessels of Oile , and other Aromatical Libations , which Age and a long Date of Time had condensed into the Consistence of Gellies ; sometimes again their Urns were placed or situated near some Bound or Land-mark , and then their Ashes inclosed , were consecrated to the peculiar Protection of Deus Terminus , and were cloistered in a Repository or Vessel , much in Figure or Resemblance like a Roman Urn , but only the Cover was more wide and deep at Top , and this they styled Arca Finalis . Besides these at Newington , there are many other Examples of such endorsments amongst the Romans ; I shall cull out some few , Marcus Plautius who slew himself for the Love of his Wife Orestilla , who deceased at Tarentum in her passage to Asia , that so he might accompany her in Death , as he had done in Life , had his Ashes blended together with hers in one Urn , whilst this Superscription without adorned their mingled Dust , The two Lovers . Not many years since there was digged up near Coggeshall in Essex an Urn , which offered up to the Spectator's View this Inscription , Coccilli M. that is , Coccilli Manibus . And not many years before at the Bath was represented to publick Inspection , an Urn , with this Endorsment insculped , Vibia Jucunda An. XXX hîc sepulta ; I could discover more of this Nature ; But I return . In these Newington Urns , as my Intelligence instructs me , there were traced out many peeces of Roman Coin , it being Customary amongst that Nation , not only to inclose Coin or Mony , both of Consulary and Imperial Stamp , by which the Date of their Friends Decease , might be hinted to an Intelligent Observation ; but likewise Fragments of those Things the Deceased in his Life Time did particularly affect , as namely , Spear Heads , peeces of Darts and Swords , broken Armor , the Cassis or Helmet , Shields , Goblets , Berill Rings , besides a great Number of Gems , with Heads of Gods and Goddesses , and the pourtraiture of several Creatures , fashioned out of Agat and Amber . Now if any will inquire of me , When this Custome of burning the Dead , and after depositing their Dust in Sepulchral Urns , became to be in Use amongst the Romans ? I confess I am satisfied the Time is incertain , though I dare positively aver , it was originally transported from Greece , where it was used though with more formality , long before it was adopted into the Usages of this Nation . For first the Graecians burned only the Bodies of those of more eminent Account , but denied it to those who were of baser Allay , or of obscurer Fame ; as likewise they did to deceased Infants ; to those who were blasted or destroyed with Lightning , because they superstitiously conceived them enemies to the Powers above ; to those who had impiously laid violent hands upon themselves ; and lastly , to those who had by a perfidious Apostasie , declared themselves to be Desertors and Betrayers of their Country . Secondly , they burned only the flesh of the Body , reserving the Bones to be laid up in Chests or Repertories , which they called Thecae , which amongst the Romans had the Title of Ossuaria , bestowed on them . Thirdly , they esteemed it so great an Honor for any person to sleep in his owne Native Countrey , that if he deceased in any Forrain Region , which was in Amity with them , they there , after their Customary Manner burned his Body , and with much Solemnity transported his Reliques to the place of his Nativity , and at every Crosse Way had their appointed Feasts , which were made at the Expence of the Relations and Friends of the Defunct , which they called their Compitalia . Lastly , they strewed Flowers on the Urns and Repositories of the Dead , and adorned them with Ribands , as they did the Urn of Philopaemen ; but they more particularly affected the strewing of Myrtle , and Amaranthus , on the Ashes of their departed Relations , as the Romans did that of the Rose ; yet both of them did concur in the Composition of the Funeral Pile , which was furnished and made up of Rosemary , Laryx , Yew , Cypresse , and Firre , wherein it is probable were couched some tacit Hints of their surviving Hopes ; and in which mysterious Hieroglyphicks , as being Trees which were perpetually verdant , were wrapped up some secret Inferences of a future Resurrection . That this Custome of Burning the Dead did afterwards by an universal Imitation extend and spread it self to other Nations . That the Druids and ruling Priests were accustomed to burn their Dead is expressed by Pomponius : That they held that practise in Gaule , Caesar expresly delivers : That burning the Dead was used in Sarmatia , is affirmed by Gaguinus : That the Swedes and Gothlanders did frequently commit their Princes and more eminent Persons to the Fire , is delivered by Saxo and Olaus : That this was the old German practise , is also asserted by Tacitus . And that it was customary amongst the Danes , Several Urns , discovered in Jutland and Sleswick not many years since , do easily evince , which contained not only Bones , but many other Substances in them , as Knives , peeces of Iron , Brass and Wood , and one of Norway a Brass guilded Jews-harp . When this Custome of Burning of the Dead languished into Disuse , is incertain ; but that it began to vanish , upon the Dawning of Christianity , as Vapors and Mists scatter before a Morning Sun , is without Controversie ; but when the Light of it did more vigorously reflect , like a Meridian Beam , on all the gloomy Corners and Recesses of Paganism and Infidelity ; then this Use of Urn-Burial , was wholly superseded , and found a Tomb it self in the more sober and severer practise of Christianity . And thus much shall be said concerning these Urns digged up at Newington .

The Mannor of Levenoke in this Parish ought in the last place to be taken Notice of ; but the Deeds being dispersed into the Hands of those who are Strangers both to this County and my Design , I cannot give the Reader that satisfaction in this particular that I aime at . Only thus much I can inform him , that by an old Court Roll in the Hands of Mr. Staninough of this Parish , lately deceased , I discovered that in the Raign of Edward the third , and Richard the second , it was the possession of John Beau Fitz ; and it is probable by the Heir General of this Name , it devolved to Arnold of Rochester : and more to fortifie this , some ancient Country people at my being there , did assure me , they had it by Traditional Intelligence from their Predecessors , That that Knight purchased it of one Arnold ; but of that there is no certainty , only this is positive , that about the latter end of Henry the eighth , that Knight enjoyed it , and in this Name it remained until almost our Memory , and then it was conveyed to Gouldsmith , and he alienated it to Barrow , whose Descendant having morgaged it to Mr. ...... Alston of London , he very lately hath transplanted all his Right by Sale , into Mr. ........ Lisle of Middlesex , now deceased .

Nockholt in the Hundred of Ruxley , was a Branch which was incorporated into the Revenue of the Lord Say . William de Say died possest of it , in the twenty third year of Edward the third , and from this man was it transmitted to his Grand-child Geffrey Say , who concluded in a Sole Daughter and Heir , called Elizabeth , who was married to William Fiennes Esquire , and so in her Right was Nockholt united to the possession of this Noble Family ; from this man was Richard Fiennes descended , who enjoyed this Mannor successively from him , and married Joane the Sole Female heir of Thomas Lord Dacre of Hurstmonceaux in Sussex , who was extracted from Edward Lord Dacre , who was summoned to Parliament by the Title of Lord Dacre of Hurstmonceaux , in the Raign of Edward the second , and in her Right was this man summoned to Parliament by the Name of Richard Fiennes Lord Dacres , in the Government of Henry the sixth . And here did both the Barony of Dacre , and the Inheritance of Nockholt continue , till Gregory Fiennes Lord Dacres deceased , in the thirty sixth year of Queen Elizabeth , and left by Testament Margaret his Sister matched to Sampson Lennard Esquire , he having no Issue , Heir to his large possessions , amongst which this Mannor was involved ; from Sampson Lennard , who was created Lord Dacres , in the second year of King James ; it is now come down by Successive Inheritance to be the instant Patrimony of his Grand-child Francis Lord Dacres the present Baron of Hurstmonceaux .

There are two other Mannors in this Parish , but of small importance , called Brampton , and Shelleys-court , or at Ockholt , both which had Owners , who engrafted their own Sirname upon them . There is a recital in the Book of Aide , of one John de Brampton , who held Land at Nockholt and Ditton , in the Raign of Edward the first : From this Family , Brampton came by a Female Heir to be the Inheritance of Petley , who about the latter end of Henry the sixth , conveyed it to Oliver , alias Quintin , and hath been for almost two Hundred years , as appears by the Evidences now in the Hands of Mr. Robert Oliver , of the Grange in the Parish of Leybourn , in the Tenure and Possession of that Name and Family .

Shelleys Court , called in the Evidences likewise at Ockholt , was , as high as the Raign of Edward the third , as the originall Deeds now in the Hands of Mr. Rob. Austin of Bexley inform me , the Inheritance of Shelley , and remained united to the Possession of that Family , till the Government of Queen Mary ; and then by Sale the whole Demise , was passed away by Sir John Champneys , Lord Maior of London , by William Shelley , the last of this Name at this place ; from whom it devolved to his Son Sir Justinian Champneys , who left it to his Son Mr. Richard Champneys Esquire ; and he almost in the Remembrance of that Age we live in , alienated his Concernment in it , to the present Possessor Mr. Gooday of Suffolk .

Nonington in the Hundred of Wingham and Eastry , hath diverse places in it of considerable Repute . The first is Fredville , called in old Deeds Froidville , from its bleak and eminent Situation . Times of an elder Inscription , represent it to have been the Possession of Colkin , vulgarly called Cokin , who it is probable erected the ancient Fabrick , and brought it into the Shape and Order of an Habitation : this Family was originally extracted from Canterbury , where they had a Lane which bore their Name , being called Colkins Lane , and likewise had the Inheritance or Propriety of Worth-gate in that City . William Colkin founded an Hospital neer Eastbridge , which celebrated his Name to Posterity , and was called Colkin's Hospital , he flourished in the Time of K. John , and was a liberal Benefactor to the Hospitals of St. Nicholas , St. Katharine , and St. Thomas of Eastbridge in Canterbury , as is recorded by Mr. William Somner , in his Survey of that City Page 116. But to proceed : John Colkin dyed possest of Fredvill the tenth of Edward the third , and in his Posterity was the Title resident , untill the latter end of Richard the second , and then it was conveyed to Thomas Charleton ; and he by a Fine , levyed the second of Henry the second , transplants his Interest into John Quadring , in whose Name it made its aboad , untill Joan Quadring , the Heir General of Thomas Quadring , this man's Successor , carried the Title along with her to her Husband Richard Dryland ; and he about the latter end of Edward the fourth , alienated it to John Nethersole ; who by Fine levyed in the second year of Richard the third , conveyed it to William Bois Esquire , descended from I. de Bosco or de Bois , so written in some old Copies of the Battle Abby Roll , and in others R. de Bosco or de Bois , who entered into England with William the Conquerour , which William had Issue Thomas Bois , who dying in the raign of Henry the seventh , left two Sons : to Thomas his eldest he devised Fredville , with his Estate there ; to William his youngest , Bonington , and the Lands annexed to it : so that the eldest had the Fairest , and the youngest the ancient Seat : from Fredville are streamed out first the Boois's of Hode , the second Branch of the eldest House ; Secondly those of Betshanger ; Thirdly Bois of Sandwich issued out from those of Betshanger . From Bonington are extracted the Bois's of Willsborough , being the second Branch of the second House ; Secondly Bois of Offington , and thirdly Bois of Hawkherst : From Thomas Bois above-mentioned is the Title of Fredville in a successive Line now devolved to his Successor Iohn Bois Esquire .

Elmington is a second place of Note in this Parish . It was made eminent in former Times , by being parcell of the Patrimony of Condye of Condies Hall in Witstaple , who likewise had some Interest in Fredville by purchase from Colkin , which William Condy passed away to Thomas Charlton above-mentioned . Which William was Son and Heir to Iohn de Condy , who dyed possest of Elmington the fifth of September , in the forty second year of Edward the third , and by descendant Right was invested in the Propriety of this place , but enjoyed it not long : for he dying without Issue , Robert Grubbe , who had married Margaret Sister and Coheir of the abovesaid William , entered upon the Possession . But he likewise concluding in two Daughters and Coheirs : Agnes one of them by matching with Iohn Isaack annexed this to his Inheritance , and his Successor James Isaack , about the latter end of Henry the seventh , conveyed it to George Guldford Esquire , who not long after transmitted the Interest , he had in this place by Sale to Betenham ; in whom , the Possession was but of a frail and narrow Continuance , for from this Family , a Vicissitude like the former , about the latter end of Henry the eighth , carried it away to Sir Christopher Hales , and his Son Sir James Hales not long after , demised it to William Bois Esquire , Ancestor to Jo. Bois of Fredville Esquire , who now holds the instant Signiory of it .

St. Albans is a third place in Nonington , which exacts our Notice : It is called so , because it was wrapped up in the Revenue of the Abby of St. Albans , and did partake of the like priviledges as that Monastery enjoyed ; a Scale of which you may read of , recorded in the late printed Monasticum Anglicanum , too tedious here to recapitulate : It was in elder Times called Esole , and was held by one Edmund de Akcholt , in Knights Service , whose Arms in Nonington Church , videlicet , Quarterly Argent and Azure , over all a bend componee , Or , and Gules , are yet visible and obvious : This Mannor upon the general Dissolution , in the Raign of Henry the eighth , being found involved in the Patrimony of the above said Abby , was in the thirty second year of that Prince , granted with all its Appendages to Sir Christopher Hales , and his Son Sir James Hales , about the Beginning of Edward the sixth , conveyed it to John Sticker , who in the fifth year of that Prince alienated it to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgbery , from whom not long after the same mutation transplanted it into Sir Thomas Moile , and he demised the propriety of it by Sale to Thomas Hamon Esquire , Auncestor to Anthony Hamon Esquire , who now enjoys the present Signory of it .

At the Borough of Wolwich in this Parish is a place called Oxendens , which was the Original Seminary and Fountain of those of that Name and Family in this County .

Ratling is another place in Nonington of principal Note : It contributed in Times of a more Venerable Date both Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Appellation . It would be too tedious and voluminous a Digression to recite all those whom Ancient Records represent to be the possessors of this Place ; I shall only take notice of Sayer de Ratling , Son of Sir Robert de Ratling , who was the last of the Name who enjoyed it , and had it in Possession at his Decease , which was in the tenth year of Richard the second , and left Joane his Daughter and Heir , who was matched to John Spicer , from whom the Spicers who were Owners of the Mannor of Sherford in Monks Horton in this County , were collaterally extracted : but it appears they were of no long residence at this Place ; for this Man and his Name together went out in Co-heirs ; so that Ratling fell under the Dominion of a new Proprietary , for by Cicely one of them it was knit to the Demeasne of her Husband John Izaack of Blackmanbery in Bredge , and by this Alliance the Title became tied to this Family , till Edward Izaack this mans Grand-child , in the Raign of Henry the seventh , by Sale collated his Right in it on Sir John Phineux , whose Successor in the next Age after , alienated it to Nevinson ; from whom not so many years are yet elapsed , but that almost our Memory may attaque the time of the Sale . By the same Fatality , the Possession and Title was rowled into the enjoyment of the present Owner Sir William Cowper .

Oldcourt is a third place which may exact our Account , it was anciently parcel of the Demeasne of a good old Family , who derived their Sirname from the Parish of Goodneston , vulgarly called Gonston , by no far Distance removed from this place , and continued in an uninterrupted Series , from John , William , and Robert de Godneston , of whom there is frequent mention in private Evidences , and who flourished in the Raigns of Henry the third , and Edward the first , as their Dateless Deeds do intimate , until the Raign of Edward the fourth , possest of this place , and then it went by Edith Daughter and Heir of Edward Godneston , in whom the Name was entombed to Vincent Engham , descended from the Enghams or Edinghams of Woodchurch , from whom it went away by Sale to John Sydley Esquire , Auditor to Henry the seventh , who added much to the Splendor and Magnificence of the Sydleys of Southfleet , by those additional improvements , with which he encreased the Patrimony of that Family . When this Name went out , the next Family which succeeded in the possession of this place by purchase , was Wild of Canterbury , descended originally from the Wilds of the County of Worcester , where they are entituled to an Extraction of deep Antiquity , whose Successor Sir John Wild of Canterbury , in that Age we call our Fathers , passed away his Right in Oldcourt to Mersh , who holds the instant Fee-simple of it .

Northbourne in the Hundred of Eastry , was given to Christ-church in Canterbury , by Eadbald King of Kent , ( as the Records of that Church do assert ) after his Return to the Christian Faith ; for formerly by an open Desertion or Apostacy , he had renounced those Principles of Religion , which originally had been infused into him . And being thus cast into the Revenue of the Church , it remained incorporated in its Patrimony , till the publique Dissolution made by Henry the eighth , dissevered it , and laid it up in the Lap of the Royal Demeasne , where it continued couched till Queen Elizabeth first granted it in Lease for Life , to her Foster-brother Saunders , so he was styled , because his Mother had been her Nurse , upon whose Decease it reverts to the Crown ▪ and King James upon his first Ascending the English Throne , granted the Demeasne to Sir Edwin Sandys , The Mannor was sold the 1630. to Mr. Edw. Bois , Father to Jo. Bois of Betshanger Esq ; a Person who had performed some exemplary Service for him upon his first admission to the Scepter of this Nation , which obliged him to this Concession , from whom it is now by Descent transferred to his Grand-child , Son to Colonel Sandys , who in the late intestine Contests between the King and his two Houses , received a mortal wound in a vigorous encounter betwixt him and Prince Rupert at Worcester , of which some time after he languished away , and deceased .

There was when Leland made his Survey of Kent , which was in the Raign of Henry the eighth , the Reliques of an old Stone-house , which the Tradition of that Age did affirm to have been the Pallace of the above mentioned Eadbald . And there was , not many years before the same Author made this perambulation , as he in the same Manuscript does assert , a Wall broken down , by which Hole or Inlet was discovered a little Cell or Chamber into which it opened , where were found the Fragmentary Remains of two Children , who had in that gloomy Repository been ( as was then conjectured ) for many preceding Ages been mured up ; and , which did improve the wonder , in one of these obsolete Skeletons was descried a stiff Pin of Latine .

Tikenhurst in this Parish , now by Corruption of the first Etymology called Ticknes , in elder Times was the Revenue of a Family known by that Sirname ; some of whom are Witnesses to Deeds of a very high Date , now in the Hands of Mr. Richard Fogge of Dane-court in Tilmanston . After this Family which had left its Name ingrafted upon this place was worn out , which was before the Raign of Henry the sixth , Little Mongcham was given by King Edbert under the Notion of 6 Ploughed Lands to the Abby of St. Austins . the Stoddards , from whom the Stoddards of Modingham near Eltham , were originally extracted , became Possessors of the Fee , and in the Patrimony of this Family was the Title of this Place for several Generations involved , till in our Grand-fathers Memory , it was by Sale transplanted into the Propriety of Peyton of Knowlton , so that it is in Right of that Purchase now incorporated into the Income of Sir Thomas Peyton Baronet , who is the present Lord of the Fee .

Northfleet was alwaies a Branch of that Revenue which fell under the Spiritual Signory of Christ-church . By the Pages of Doomes-day Book , we may take a brief Prospect of what it was in the Time of the Conqueror . Northfleet ( saies that Record ) in T. E. R. se defendebat pro VI. Sullingis , & nunc pro V. & est manerium appretiatum XX. & VII . lb. That is , Northfleet in the Time of Edward the Confessor , did defend it self for six Sullings or Ploughed Lands ; but now , that is in the Time of William the Conqueror , only for five , and upon the appraisment was rated at twenty seven pound ; and thus did it continue riveted by the Charters of several Princes , which had confirmed the Patrimony of Christ-church in Canterbury into the Estate of the Church , till that Whitlwind which arose in the Time of Henry the eighth , threw it into the common Dissolution , and then by publique Authority it was united to the Revenue of the Crown , and there was fixed , till the year One thousand six hundred and eight , and then the Title was torn off .

Ifeild , Well , Cosington , and Shinglewell , are four small Mannors which are circumscribed within the Limits of this Parish . They were in Ages of a more venerable Aspect , the Patrimony of Hever of Hever : William de Hever had a Charter of Free-warren granted to his Lands at Ifield , and Shinglewell , and other Lands in Northfleet , in the ninth year of Edward the first , which was renued to Thomas de Hever , in the fourth year of Edward the third , but he left no Heits male , to enjoy this priviledge ; for he and his Name expired in Females , whereof Joan one of his Coheirs , was espoused to Reginald Cobham , who was summoned to Parliament by Writt as Baron of Sterborough , in the twenty second year of Edward the third , and the other was matched to Iohn Brocas , but his Estate at these above-mentioned places , was upon the Partition annexed to the Patrimony of the Lord Cobham ; from which Family about the raign of Henry the fourth , it came over to Iohn Rykeld , who with his Son William Rykeld , lyes entombed in Northfleet Church : but it seems this last mentioned William , deceased without Issue-male , for Rose his Sole Daughter and Heir , was married to Edward Limsey , descended from Ralph de Limsey , who held the Mannor of Budbrook in Warwickshire , the twentieth of William the Conquerour , as is testified by Dooms-day Book● and this Man had Issue Iohn Limsey , to whom Ifield Shinglewell , and the other two places in right of his Mother , did successively devolve . But it seems the Title of Wells , Cosington , and Ifield , did not long dwell in Iohn Limsey ; for in the first year of Richard the third , he alienated them to Iohn Young ; from which Family in the middle of the raign of H. the eighth , they came back again to acknowledge the Signiory of Limsey , in whom again the Possession was as transitory as formerly ; for before the latter end of H. eighth , they were conveyed to Rainsford , from whom , about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth they were by Sale passed away to Alderman Garret of London , and in this Family was the Inheritance lodged , untill allmost those Times which fell under the Cognisance of our Remembrance , and then they were disposed of , by Sale , to Child .

Derndale is another ancient Seat in Northfleet , which in old Evidences , some of which are not bounded with any date , is styled Derendale , as having in elder Times ( as it appears by old Deeds ) Possessors of that Name ; and when they had deserted the Possession , which was before the latter end of Edward the third , it became the Inheritance of William Wangford , whose Son William Wangford , was Serjeant at Law , and a great Benefactor to Rochester Bridge ; and he being his Heir to this place , in the fifteenth year of Henry the sixth , passed it away to John and William Flucke ; from whom suddenly after it came over by purchase to Iohn Rouse , descended from William Rouse of Birling , whose Son Iohn Rouse , demised Land in Northfleet , as appears by an old Deed , to Iohn Rouse , in the thirty third year of Edward the third , and this above-mentioned Iohn Rouse , in the tenth year of Edward the fourth , demised his Right in this place to Thomas Wombwell , and Iohn Clifton Esquire , and this Iohn Clifton , dying without Issue , in the year 1471 , bequeaths his Interest in it by Will to Thomas Wombwell , and he because he was originally extracted , from a place in Yorkshire called Wombwell , erected a House here , which he adopted into his own Name , and styled it Wombwell Hall , which with Dernedale remained involved in the Possession of this Family , untill some few years the Title was by Sale transplanted into Mr. ......... Adye Esquire , Counsellor at Law , Son and Heir , to Mr. ........ Adye of Dodington .

Shinglewell is another place in Northfleet which may deservedly be taken Notice of , because Hever is situated within the precincts of it , which was the Seminary or Seedplot of the ancient Family of Hever , and though Hever Castle by reason of its Grandeur and Magnificence , was their capitall Mansion , yet this was the original Fountain or Cradle , from whence the Family primitively issued forth . W. de Hever was a person of note , and was engaged with R. the first at the Seige of Acon . In the seventh year of the raign of King Iohn , as appears by the Pipe-rolls of that Time , Hugh de Hever , and Walter de Hever , were Recognitores magnae Assisae , a place if we calculate it for the Meridian of those Times , of a very great Latitude of Power , Trust , and Concernment ; for they were looked upon in all Causes either of Criminal or Civill Aspect , as the representative Body of the County ; and from them it is possible our present Grand Juries , may seem to extract their first Institution . Richard de Hever is found in the Kentish Register of those , who accompanied Edward the first , in the nineteenth year of his raign to New Castle , where he summoned the Pretenders to the Scottish Scepter , to give an Account of the Justice of their Title to that Diadem . Thomas de Hever obtained a Market to Shinglewell , and two Fairs , one at Michaelmas , which was to continue five Dayes , and the second at the Feast of St. Lawrence , which was to continue three , as appears , Chart. 4. Edw. 3. Num. 9. After this Family was worn out , the Cobhams by a Right derived from Reginald de Cobham , who married Joane , one of the Coheirs of William de Hever , were invested in the Fee , and from them it passed away by Sale , about the beginning of Henry the sixth , to Rykeld , where the Possession was of no long Date ; for Rose Sole Heir of John Rykeld , by matching with John Limsey , united this Mannor of Hever to his Patrimony , and in this Name was the Title resident , until the midst of the raign of Henry the eighth , and then it was alienated to Rainsford , and from this Name the like Devolution , about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , carried it away to Garth , who almost in our Fathers Memory conveyed it by Sale to Mr. ...... Child , from whom it is lately come over by purchase to be the Inheritance of Mr. ...... Fortree , of Greenwich .

Norton in the Hundred of Feversham , was , as high as I can track , the Inheritance of that Family , whose Sirname was de Campania , and whose Principal Seat was at Champions Court in Newenham . John de Campania had a Charter of Free-warren , granted by Royal Indulgence to his Mannor of Norton , in the thirty first year of Edward the first , and when this Name had deserted the Possession , the Title of this place came to own the Signory of John Boteler of Graveney Esquire , who flourished in the raign of Henry the fourth ; but , it is manifest , was not very stable in this Name ; for , by Boteler this mans Sole Heir , it was incorporated into the Patrimony of John Martin , her Husband , afterwards Judge of the Common Pleas ; and in this Family was it resident , till the raign of Henry the seventh , and then it was conveyed away by Sale to Finch , issued out from the Finches of Groveherst in Milton . But the same Fatality which brought it over to Martin , carried it away from the Name of Finch : for this Family in our Grand-fathers Memory determining in a Daughter and Heir , she by matching with Sonds of Sonds Place at Darking in Surrey , linked Norton to the Demeasne of that Family ; where , after the Possession had some Time been lodged , it went away by Sale , about the latter end of the raign of Queen Elizabeth , to Mr. Thomas Mills Esquire , who upon his Decease , which was in the entrance of the raign of King Charles , by some Addition of Estate still to support the Name , and improve the Luster of the Family , gave it to his Cozen Mills of Sussex , who in Right of that Testamentary Donation is the instant Possessor of Norton .

Provenders is an Ancient Seat in this Parish ; once the Mansion of a Family of that Sirname , which though it be long since worn out at this place , yet it is still ( under a Character of no despicable Account ) in being , in Wiltshire ; where for several Ages last past they have successively setled . I have seen a Deed without Date , which about the raign of Henry the third , fixes the possession of this place in John de Provender , and this agrees with Sidrach Petits Inquisition , who in his curious Survey of several Kentish Mannors , taken in the twenty eighth year of King Henry the eighth , represents this place about the Time of Henry the third , to be in the Tenure of the above-said John de Provender . After the Provenders , the Quadrins were Possessors , and then successively the Goldwells of Goldwell , which was in the raign of Richard the second , were Proprietaties of Provenders , and remained many years invested in the Signory of it , till the common Devolution of Purchase translated the right of it to Dry-land , a Family of much Splendor , and no lesse Estate in this Track : one of which Name , in the raign of Henry the eighth , passed away his Interest in it by Sale to Robert Atwater Esquire , Justice of Peace of this County in that Age , and he transmitted it by Sale to Sir James Hales , Son of Sir John Hales , from which Family , in the Time of Queen Elizabeth , it went over by Sale to Sayer , in which Family , after the Propriety some few years had rested , it was almost within the Limits of our Remembrance , sold to Mr. Hugison of Dover , in Right of which Purchase , after the Decease of her Mother , it is to devolve to Mrs. Jane Hugison , descended from a second Son of this Family , and lately matched to * * She is lately deceased without Issue surviving , so that her Estate here is to return to Mr. Hugison of Lingsted . Mr. ...... Roberts of Canterbury Esquire .

Nutsted in the Hundred of Acstane , was in elder Times couched in the Patrimony of a Family called Gravesend , which was of no cheap or obscure Account in this Track ; for Sir Stephen de Gravesend is in the Register or Inventory of those Knights which accompanied Edward the first , in his prosperous Expedition into Scotland , when by a succesful Reduction , he in the twenty eighth year of his faign subdued the strong Fortress of Carlaverock in Scotland . Richard de Gravesend , Bishop of London , the more to improve the Grandeur of Nursted , which then was entituled to his Name and Family , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to this Mannor , in the twenty seventh year of the above-said Prince . In the forty ninth year of Edward the third , Thomas de Gravesend died , concerned in an Estate here at Nutsted , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 63. parte secunda . But not all the Mannor , for in the twentieth year of Edward the third , Sir John de Beaumont paid respective Aide for Lands which he held at Nutsted , as appears by the Record , in the twentieth year of Edward the third . But both these Families , before the end of Henry the fourth , were dislodged from the possession of this place , and then I find it cast into the Revenue of a Family called Middleton , who were not long Lords of the Fee : for in the raign of Henry the sixth , I find it in the Tenure of Thomas Frowick Esquire , and he by a Fine levied , in the thirty eighth year of that Prince , conveyed it to Hugh Brent , in which Name it was resident , until the beginning of Henry the seventh , and then it was alienated to Martin ; but William Martin great Grand-child of John Martin the Judge , dying without Issue-male , Margaret his Sole Daughter and Heir linked it unto the Demeasne of her Husband Mr. John Rogers , in which Family , after it had resided , until that Age which was encircled in our Fathers Remembrance , it was passed away by Sale to Sidley , and Sir John Sidley of St. Cleres Knight and Baronet , not many years since by the same Vicissitude conveyed it to John Adye of Dodington Esquire .

O. O. O. O.

OFham in the Hundred of Larkefeild , was Anciently divided between two Families Corton and Ditton : Richard de Corton held half a Knights Fee at this place , and paid respective Aide for it at making the Black Prince Knight , as appears by the Book of Aide , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , and Ralph de Ditton paid an auxiliary Contribution for the other Moity , which likewise was held by half a Knights Fee , at the Investiture above-said ; but long it continued not to confess the Signory of these two Families : for Codwell which was part of the Mannor of Offham , was alienated by Richard de Corton to Thomas de Godchepe , and he was in the enjoyment of it at his Decease , which was in the one and thirtieth of Edward the third . After Godchepe had deserted the Possession , I find by some old Conrt-rols , that commence from the Raign of Henry the fourth , that one John Melford had the Possession , not only of Godwell , but of Snodbean , and Pepingstraw likewise , which his Father purchased of the Heirs of Ditton ; but not long after this , was the Title of those places resident in this Family . For about the latter end of Henry the sixth , I find one Moiety of them passed away to Browne , and the other to Colepeper : in Colepeper the Propriety remained , until the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then it was demised by Sale to John Leigh , and he and Sir Matthew Browne the descendant of Browne , who was invested by Purchase in the other Moiety , exchanged the whole Mannor with Henry the eighth , and he grants it to William Wilford , John Bennet , and George Briggs , and they in the thirty seventh year of the above-named Prince , convey one Moiety of Offham , Snodbean , and Peping straw , to John Tufton Esquire , Ancestor to the Right Honorable John Tufton , now Earl of Thanett , the instant Possessor of it ; And the other Proportion , in which Godwell was included , to Richard Nortop alias Clerk , a Name vulgarly impos'd upon him , which was originally borrowed from his Office , as being Clark of the Forrest of Sherwood , in the County of Nottingham ; yet this Name hath been so entailed on his Successors , that it is now grown the paternal Appellation of the Family , they having many years wrot Clerk aliàs Nortop : But I have digressed . The last of this Family was ...... Clerk , who not long since , concluded in three Daughters and Coheirs : Frances one of which , was married to Mr. Thomas Dowell lately deceased , who by purchasing the other Proportions allotted to his Wifes Sisters , hath now entituled the other Moietie of the Mannor of Offham , to his Descendant now surviving .

The vulgar Tradition of this Parish , is , that Jack Straw that eminent Incendiarie of the Kentish Commons in the raign of Richard the second ( who with Wat Tiler , who was born at Dartford , were the two principal Emissaries , which did foment and manage that portentous Commotion , which then brake forth like an Inundation , and threatned to over-whelme the abovesaid Prince ) was born in a small Cottage , at Pepingstraw in this Parish , from whence he assumed his Sirname .

Ore in the Hundred of Feversham , was , as the Book called Feoda Militum kept in the Exchequer , informs me , in the thirty eighth year of Henry the third , the Inheritance of Reginald de Cornhill , but it seems was by a Distance of no long Time constant to this Family ; for in the raign of Edward the first , it became the Patrimony of Savage of Bobbing Court : for in the twenty third year of the above recited Prince , John de Savage obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Ore , as it lay involved in his other Demeasnes , to which that Franchise was granted in the Bulk or General . After Savage was worn away at this place , the Norwoods of Norwood in Milton , were established in one Moiety of it by purchase , and the Alephs of Colshall in Iwade , by the same Vicissitude were planted in the other ; Northwood demised his Proportion by Sale to Tomlin , who for above an Hundred year , down till this instant , has been setled in the Possession ; and the other Moiety did augment the Dowry of Margaret Daughter and Heir of Thomas Aleph , who was wedded to John Monins Esquire , whose Successor Sir William Monins , passed it away to Short of Tenterden , to which Family the Interest of that part of Ore , which was sold by Monins , is at this present united .

Orpington in the Hundred of Rokesley , was in the twentieth year of William the Conquerour , wrapped up in the Ecclesiastical Patrimony , and belonged to the Monks of Christ-church , and if you will make an Inspection into the Pages of Dooms-day Book , and consult that general Register , you will find it at that Time thus rated : Orpindun , says the Record , est Manerium Monachorum , & de Vestitu e●rum , & in T. E. R. ( that is , in the Time of King Edward the Confessor ) se defendebat pro III. Sullingis , & nunc pro II. Sullingis & dimidio , & est appretiatum XXV . lb. & tamen reddit de Firma XX. & VIII . lb. From this Record I observe that William the Norman , sirnamed the Conquerour , possessing himself of the English Scepter and Diadem , by an infirme and crazy Title , sought afterwards to fortifie and improve it , by a soft Compliance with the Clergie , who had then the most powerfull Influence , on the Consciences of the Vulgar ; and therefore where he found their Revenue moderately taxed in the Time of the Confessor , he confirms it , and where in his Estimate the Gabell or Imposition was scrued or wound up too much , he abates and mollifies it , by these Engagements perpetually for the future , to oblige and endear them , to assert and maintain his new atchieved Royaltie . But to return to my Discourse : In times of a more recent Inscription , that is , in the seventh year of King John , the Prior and Monks of Christ-church , obtained a Market to this their Mannor , to be observed weekly on the Wednesday , as appears Carta de Anno septimo R. Joannis Memb. secund. with which Franchise it continued invested , untill the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth , and then being by the Monks abovesaid with the Residue of their Revenue into the Hands of that Prince , it remained with the Crown untill the thirty second year of his Government ; and then it was granted to Pereivall Hart , of Lullingston Esq ; to whose pious and charitable Beneficence , the Almes Houses at this place , owe their original Foundation ; and from him is the Propriety of it , now descended to his great Grandchild Will . Hart Esq.

Crofton in this Parish , did formerly swel into so much of Grandeur , and populacy that it was known for a Parish of it self , till by Fire it was entombed in its present Desolations , and by the Violence of that wild and impetuous Element , reduced into a Heap of Flame and Ruines ; and certainly those deplorable Remains which yet expose themselves to an Inquisitive Eye , and the Groundsells too , and scattered Foundations of Houses , which the Plough often raises , out of their Sepulcher of Rubbish , and represents to the publick View , do evince this Truth to us , that Towns and Villages , have their stated Period of Duration , and must at length find a Grave like Men. But though this Village be shrunk into this disordered Heap , yet still it preserves the Reputation of a Mannor , which it had anciently , when it was the Inheritance of Wibourn , a Family in elder Times of high Esteem , and a considerable Revenue in this Territory . Ralph de Wibourn held Lands here , and in other places of Kent , as appears by sundry ancient Deeds now in the Possession of Wibourne of Halkewell , in the raign of Edward the first ; and did after execute a Deed , for Land in Wrotham Hundred , in the tenth year of Edward the second . And in the twentieth year of Edward the third , John de Wybourne , paid respective Aid for his Lands here and at other places in this County , at the making the Black Prince Knight ; after Wibourne had relinquished the Possession of this place , which was about the latter end of Edward the third , it went away by Sale to Sir Robert Belknap , who was attainted and banished , by that Factious Parliament , which was held in the tenth year of R. the second , for vigorously endevouring to vindicate and assert his Prerogative , against the Invasions and Inroads which some of the turbulent Nobility of those times did attempt to make upon it : but this , though forfeited and escheated to the Crown upon his pretended Treason , was by Richard the second restor'd to Hamon Belknap Lord of Oston in the County of Warwick , and from him it was by Descent transferred to John Belknap his Son , who upon his Decease which was in the fifteenth year of Henry the sixth , bequeathed it to Sir Henry Belknap , who determined in three Daughters and Coheirs , Alice married to Sir William Shelley , Anne matched to Sir Robert Wotton , and Elizabeth first wedded to Sir Philip Cook of Giddy-Hall in Essex , and after to I eonard Dannett of the County of Worcester , who divided his Patrimony ; but this upon ballancing the partition of the Estate , fell upon the poising of it in equall portions , to be the Demeasn of Sir Will . Shelley , who demised it by Sale to Sir Rob. Read Lord Chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench , and he in the raign of Henry the seventh , passed it away by Grant , to the Hospital of the Savoy in ‛ London , where it has ever since , without any Interruption of the first Donation , remained successively resident .

Bark-hart has obtained a place in the Map of Kent , and therefore shall not want one in this Discourse . It was built by Percivall Hart Esquire , Father to the late Sir Percivall : but it was adorned with this Name by Queen Elizabeth , when she was magnificently entertained at this place , by the above said Gentleman . Upon her Reception , she received her first Caresses by a Nymph , which personated the Genius of the House , then the Scene was shifted , and from several Chambers , which , as they were contrived , represented a Ship , a Sea Conflict was offered up to the Spectator's View , which so much obliged the Eyes of this Princesse , with the Charms of Delight , that upon her Departure , she left upon this House ( to perpetuate the Memory both of the Author and Artifice ) the Name and Appellation of Bark-hart .

There is a Tradition that Thomas de Beckett , Arch-bishop of Canterbury , was born at Tubbingden , whose Demeasne is partly situated in Ferneborough , and partly in this Parish . But to dissipate this received Fiction , I shall manifest out of an old Parliament Roll , of the thirty first year of Henry the sixth , the original Truth , that is , so much of it as concerns his Cradle or place of Nativity . The Record in its own Dialect , speaks thus . James Earl of Wiltshire , and Ormond , whose Fader , and many of his Ancestors are lineally descended of the Blode of the glorious Martyr St. Thomas , sometimes Arch-bishop of Canterbury . The which glorious Martyr was born of his Moder , within the Ground where now is set the House or Hospital of the said Martyr , called St. Thomas Acres , now in the City of London , where the Body of the said Earl lies buried , and Dame Joane Beauchamp , late Lady of Burgavenny , Crandame to the said Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire . For Tubbenden it self ; it was Anciently the Demeasne of a Family which was known by that Sirname : for by a Deed now in the Hands of Mr. Wittingham Wood of Canterbury Esquire , it appears Gilbert Saundre of Crofton did demise several parcels of Land to John de Tubbenden of Ferneborough , and to Richard , Philip , John , and Robert his Sons , in the twenty first year of Edward the first , which justifies it Anciently to be the Possession of one of that Name . After Tubbenden , Belknap was Proprietary of this place , and then successively by Alice , his Co-heir Sir William Shelley of Michelgrove in Sussex : from which Family it was brought down by Purchase in the beginning of the raign of Henry the eighth , to be the Estate of Posier , who after some few years continuance in the Possession , demised his Concernment in it by Sale to Dalton issued out from the Daltons of Yorkeshire , which Name suddainly resolved into a Female Heir , known by the Name of Anne Dalton , who by matching with Aunsell Beckett , linked it to the Demeasne of that Family : from whom it descended to his Son Matthew Beckett , who upon his Decease bequeathed it to Mr. John Winterborn of London , who hath lately passed it away to Mr. ...... Gee of the County of Yorke Esquire .

St. Mary Crey in the Hundred of Rokesley , though it be a Market Town , yet is but a Chap●el of Ease to Orpington . Before the Conquest , one Elfgat held it ( as Doomes-day Book which makes a Recapitulation of the first Owners informs us ) of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury : In the Conqueror's Time , Hugh Nephew of Herbert Bishop of Baion , possest it under the Notion of a whole Knights Fee . In Ages of a more modern Date , that is , in the raign of Henry the third , John de Maries descended from Thomas de Maries , who accompanied Richard the first to the Seige of Acon , enjoyed a whole Knights Fee at Ackmere and Sentling , two eminent Mannors in this Parish , but about the beginning of Edward the first , had deserted the Possession and surrendered it to Gregory de Rokesley , Grand-child to John de Rokesley , who likewise was embarked with Richard the first , at the Seige of Acon ; and he , in the ninth of Edward the first , obtained the Grant of a Market on the Wednesday , and a three Dayes Faire at the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , to St. Mary Crey , as appears Pat. 9. Edw. 1. Memb. 35. and left it to his Son Sir Richard de Rokesley , who dying in the seventeenth year of Edward the second , without Issue-male by Agnes , one of his Daughters and Co-heirs to Thomas de Poynings , in which Name it continued , until the latter end of Edward the third , and then I find it possest by Sir Robert Belknap , who was attainted in the tenth year , and banished into Ireland for too vigorously attempting to boulster up the Majesty and Prerogative of that Prince , against the Assaults and invasions which were made upon it by a Factious Junto of the Nobility ; yet it was suddainly after restored to his Posterity : for in the ninteenth of Richard the second , I find Hamon Belknap reseated in the Possession , by the Royal Concession and Indulgence of that Prince , and from him it did devolve to his Grand-child Sir Henry Belknap , which Family being enterred in Daughters and Co-heirs , Sir Robert Wotton by matching with Anne , that was one of them , entituled himself in her Right to the Inheritance of both these Places , and so by the Thread of a continued Descent , was it brought down to Thomas Lord Wotton , who settled them in Marriage upon his eldest Daughter and Co-heir Mrs. Katherine Wotton , who was espoused to Henry Lord Stanhop , Heir apparent to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild .

Orlanston in the Hundred of Hamme , was the Inherirance of a Family of that Sirname . William de Orlanston is registred in the List of those Kentish Gentlemen , who assisted Richard the first , at the Siege of Acon . William de Orlanston his Son held it , in the raign of Henry the third , and obtained a Charter of Free-warren to it , in the one and fiftieth year of Henry the third , and more to improve the Grandeur of this his Mannor , with Additional Franchises , he likewise obtained a Market to be weekly observed here , and a Fair yearly , which was to continue by the space of three Dayes , at the Feast of Holyrode , as appears , Pat. de 51. Hen. 3. Memb. 10. The Grant of which Market was renewed and confirmed to John Kemp Arch-bishop of Yorke , and after of Canterbury , in the twentieth year of Henry the sixth . William de Orlanston , this mans Grand-child , was Sheriff of Kent , in the second year of Edward the third , and had the Custody of the County some part of the year following , and died the thirty eighth year of Edward the third , and had Issue Sir John Orlanston , who was Burgess for Romeney , as appears by some old Records in Dover Castle , sundry Times , both in the raign of Edward the third , and Richard the second , and matched with the Daughter and Heir of Sir William at Capell , from which Alliance proceeded Richard Orlanston Esquire , who died possest of Orlanston , in the seventh year of Henry the fifth , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. and left his Inheritance to be divided between his two Sisters and Co-heirs , Margaret matched to William Parker of Parkers in Werehorne , and Joane espoused to William Scott of Scotts Hall , who upon the Partition of the Ancient Patrimony , was invested in his Wife 's Right , in this Mannor of Orlanston ; from whom the Clew of many Descents hath transported the Propriety to the instant Possessor , Mr. Edward Scott of Scotts Hall Esquire .

Here were Lands divorced from this Place by no far Distance , called Oswareston : for I find Henry Earl of Augie , gave to the Monks of Bermondsey in Southwarke his Lands called Oswareston near Romelin , in the Parish of Lyda , and the Lands of John the Clerk in Bilsington , of which see Vincents Book of Nobility , Fol. 190.

Westbery in this Parish , was , as high as the private Evidences of this Place can give us any Prospect to discover , the Propriety of a Family called Prisott , who was planted here as high as the Raign of Henry the fourth , and t is probable much higher , though the Deeds reach no farther . Of this Family was Sir John Prisot the Judge , of whom there is frequent mention in our Law Books , which have an Aspect upon the Raign of Henry the sixth , and in this Name was the Title of this Mannor carried down to the eighth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was by Thomas Prisot passed away by Sale to George Hount , in whom the Possession had not many years been resident , but the same Fatality brought it over to Reginald Strogle , who was in the Commission of the Peace , in the Raign of Edward the sixth , and was descended from a Family which was of a very high Original in Romney-Mersh , where there are some Lands yet which bear their Name . After Strogle had left it , it came by Purchase to Mr. Bennet Guildford , a Branch of the Guildfords of Hempsted , who in the beginning of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth , falling under the Censure and Penalty of a Pramunire , for refusing the Oath of Supremacy , and flying beyond Sea , forfeited this place to the Crown , and this Princesse immediately after passed it away by Grant to Walter Moile of Buckwell , from whom not many years after this original Concession , it went away by Sale to Mr. Francis Bourne , Grand-father to Mr. ...... Bourne the present Proprietary of it .

Ospringe in the Hundred of Feversham , was anciently a Limb or Appendage of the Royal Revenue , until King Edward the thind , in the tenth year of his Raign , by Royal Concession or Grant , passed it away to John de Pultency , afterwards Lord Mayor of London , to hold it in Fee of the Crown , by the Service of a Rose , offered up or presented as a Symbol of Annual Fealty , and with this Mannor he granted him likewise all the Advousons of-Churches , which formerly related to it , to hold in Soccage only by the former acknowledgement . In the nineteenth year of his Raign , the above said Prince grants this John de Pulteney , that Thomas Son of William de Dene should be accountable to him for all those Knights Fees which lay in Throuley , Boughton , Malherbe , and Wormesell , and held of Queen Court and Ospringe : de died possest of both these places , in the twenty fifth year of Edward the third , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. and left them to his Kinsman Sir Nicolas Loveine ( though some part of the Demeasne belonged to Poulteney , until the ninth year of Edward the fourth ) which Sir Nicholas obtained a an Exemplification by Patent in the thirty eighth year of Edward the third , how many Knights Fees which lay divided and dispersed into severall places , belonged to his Mannor of Ospringe ; this Sir Nicholas had Issue Nicholas Loveyne , and Margaret Loveyne ; Nicholas her Brother deceased without Issue , and so Philip St. Clere of Aldham St. Clere , who had matched with this his Sister , became his Heir , and she was found to be possest of these places at her Death , which was in the tenth year of Henry the fourth , and in her Right did it descend with Queen Court , ( which was leased out by Nich. Loveyne to Nicholas Potin , who was Sheriff of Kent , the twenty first of King R. the second , and held his Shrievalty at this place ) to Thomas St. Clere who held it at his Decease , which was in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 46. But after his Departure , I do not find it long knit to the Demeasn of his Family ; for about the beginning of Henry the seventh , I find it in the Possession of William Cheyney of Shurland Esquire , and from him was the Title of Ospringe and Queen Court derived by successive Right to his Grandchild Henry Lord Cheyney , who about the thirteenth year of Queen Elizabeth , passed them away to Mr. Rich. Thornehill , Great Grandfather to Mr. Richard Thornehill , Son and Heir of Colonel Richard Thornhill who is at this instant Proprietarie of it .

Plomford and Bavell , are two little Mannors in Ospringe , which belonged partly to the Nunnery of the Minster in Shepey , and partly to the Abby of Feversham , which upon the Suppression of those two Cloisters , were granted by King Henry the eighth , to Thomas Colepeper Esquire , and he not long after , alienated them to Sir Thomas Cheyney , whose Son Henry Lord Cheyney , passed them away in our Grandfathers Memory to Greenstreet of Clacksfield in Borden , and are still wrapt up in the Inheritance of that Family .

The Maison le Dieu here at Ospringe , was founded by Lucas de Vienna , for the Knights Templers , and was one of those Mansions , where they reposed themselves in their progresse towards their other Demeasne , which lay spread into East-Kent , and Romney Mersh . The Revenue which was to support this Seminary , lay at Lurdenden in Challock , and at Hokeling , Radymersh , Ryde and other places in the Isle of Shepey . In the twenty fifth of Henry the third , Roger de Lingsted had a Grant of these Lands , for Terme of Life , as likewise of all the Fishery Messuages , Reliese , Revenue , and Homage appertaining to them , as appears Pat. Anno 25. Henrici tertii , Memb. 30. In the forty second , and fifty first of Henry the third , there was a Confirmation of Land and Priviledges to this House , and in this Condition it continued , partly under the Knights Templers , and in lower Ages , under the Knights Hospitallers , untill the Tempest of the generall Dissolution , shook it into that neglected heap of Ruines , wherein at present the ancient Fabrick is visible .

Elverland in this Parish is a Mannor which for many Generations hath been annexed to the Demeasn of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge .

Selgrave now corruptly called Selgrove , is another Mannor in Ospringe : It was a Branch of that large Inheritance , which lay scattered ore the Face of this Territory , and acknowledged the Dominion of the noble Family of Norwood : Roger de Northwood held it at his Decease , which was in the thirteenth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 25. And transmitted it to his Son Roger de Norwood , after whom I do not find the Possession was long permanent in this Family : for about the latter end of Edward the third , Ralph de Spigurnell , was concerned in it as Proprietarie , and he bequeathed it to his Wife Elizabeth Spigurnell , who sold it to John Winchelsey , and the Convent of Christ-church in Canterbury , in the sixteenth year of Richard the second , in whom the Fee-simple continued , untill it was wrested away by the Generall Dissolution in the raign of Henry the eighth : and then that Prince , passed it by Grant to George Barley , who not many years after alienated his Interest in it to Sonds of Throuley , from whom in our Fathers Memory , it came by Sale to Cleve .

Ospringe , had anciently a House or Maison le Dieu so called , because it was a Receptacle for Leprous people , and other persons afflicted and assaulted with Diseases , which in Times of elder Inscription , were still esteemed to be imposed by the Finger of the Divinity , and this had a Confirmation of ample Immunities , and Liberties by Patent in the forty seventh , and which were renued in the fifty first year of Henry the third .

Otford in the Hundred of Codsheath , was given to the Church and Sea of Canterbury , by Offa King of the Mercians in the year 785 , to expiate the Guilt of that Blood , which he had before drawn from the Veins of Aleric and his Kentish Men , in a Battell waged at this place , in the year 774 , and which was aggravated because those he had slaughtered , had their Names enrolled in the Register of Christians . And which was granted in the originall Donation , ad Pascua Porcorum , to the Pannage of those Hoggs that fed in the Arch-bishops Chase ; and in the Revenue of this Sea , was the Interest of this Mannor treasured up , till about the Beginning of the Rule of Henry the eighth ; and then some envious Eyes looking about with Regrett and Desire , upon the Diffused Patrimony of the Church , William Warham Arch-bishop of Canterbury , to extinguish both the passions of these men , and their ravenous Appetite together , about the twelfth year of that Prince's Raign , exchanged this Mannor for other Lands , and so it became incorporated into the Revenue of the Crown .

There was a Chantry founded at Rye-house in this Parish , by Henry de Apulderfield , in the forty sixth year of Edward the third , as appears Pat. Anno. 46. Edwardi tertii , Parte secunda Memb. 19. Whose Revenue upon the Suppression , was by Henry the eighth , granted to Palmer , which Family had been of deep Antiquity before in this Parish , and from whence the Palmers of Snodland , and likewise of Howletts in East-Kent , were originally descended : but it seems the security of this royal Patent , could not rescue it from being sold some years after to Bosvill , whose Descendant now holds the instant Fee-simple of it .

Otham in the Hundred of Maidstone , was a Branch of that Demeasne , which did in this Track acknowledge the Signiory of the ancient Family of Valoigns . William de Valoigns , is mentioned in the Book called Testa de Nevill , to have paid Aid for Lands at Petham , Ashford , and Otham , in the twentieth year of Henry the third , at the marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister , and it is probable that this Will . de Valoigns , dyed possest of Otham , in the tenth year of Edward the first , for his Name was William likewise , as appears by the escheat Roll , marked with the Number 54. after whom his Successor Stephen de Valoigns , held it , who was certainly a man of some important Account in those Times , for he was one of the Conservators of the Peace , in the raign of Edward the third . After Valoigns , the knightly Family of Pimpe , was by purchase invested about the latter end of Richard the second , both in the Possession of Otham and Gore-court , and to this Name was the Inheritance both of Otham and Gore-court , by a Chain of severall Descents , successively united ; till at last the ordinary Devolution of purchase brought them over to Isley of Sundrich ; and within the Circle of this Family , was the Propriety of them circumscribed , till the second year of Queen Mary , and then Sir Hen. Isley , being fatally engaged and entangled in the unsuccessefull Attempt of Sir Thomas Wiatt , could not unravell himself , untill he had satisfied the Justice of that Queen , with the forfeiture of his Life , and augmented the Revenue of the Crown , with the Confiscation of his Estate : from which these two places , as being parcell of his escheated Patrimony , were by Patent soon after , passed away to Sir Walter Henley , one of the Serjeants at Law , to the abovesaid Queen Mary , who dying without Issue-male , bequeathed Gore-court to Hellen his Daughter and Coheir , who was matched to Thomas Colepeper ; and Otham to his Brother Thomas Henley ; from whom it is come down to Walter Henley Esquire , who is the present Lord of the Fee : but Gore-court was by Colepeper , demised by Sale to Buffkin ; where after the Possession had for severall years been fixed , it was almost within the Pale of our Remembrance , by purchase made the present Inheritance of Tho. Floyd Esquire .

Stoneacre in this Parish is an Ancient Seat , which for some Centuries of years has acknowledged no other Proprietary then Ellys , but whether Burton in Kenington , or this Mansion were the original Fountain , from whence this Family did extract its first Etymology is incertain , for once they had one and the same Possessor . The Deeds that fortifie their Interest in this place , reach as high as the Time of Edward the second , and instruct us , that Ellis which enjoyes it now , is by a stream of many unintercepted Descents issued out from John Ellis who possest it then .

There was the Foundation of a Religious Seminary of Canons , Praemonstratenses or white Canons , begun at Otham by Ralph de Dene : but the Situation of the Place , being not accommodated to Health , they were by Ela de Sackvil removed and transplanted into her new erected Priory at Begham , where till the common Suppression they continued undisturbed and fixed .

Otteringdon in the Hundred of Eyhorne , does represent to us in Prospect the Memory of a Family , to whom it contributed in Times more Arcient both Seat and Sirname . Ralph de Ottringden held it at his Decease , which was in the fifteenth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 29. But in his Son Sir Lawrence de Ottringden , both the Name and Male Line failed together , for his Daughter and Heir brought it along with her to Peyforer , who about the latter end of the raign of Edward the third , was extinguished likewise by the same Fatality in Julian Peyforer , who was his Heir General , and she , by espousing Thomas St. Leger Esquire , intermixed the Right of this place with the Inheritance of this Family , and who lies entombed in this Church , with this Compendious Superscription endorsed upon his Grave-stone , Hic jacet Thomas St. Leger de Otteringden , qui obiit 1408. But a Revolution as suddain as the former , quickly snatched away Otteringden from the Patrimony of this Name ; for by Joan , who was Co-heir to the above-mentioned Thomas St. Leger , it was rowled into the Revenue of Henry Aucher Esquire sprouted out from the Illustrious Stem of Aucher of Losenham , and in this Family was the Interest of this place successively laid up till the Time of Queen Elizabeth , and then the whole Demise was by Sale transmitted to Lewin , in whom a Descent or two after the Male-Line determining , the Female Heir brought it to Rogers of the West , from whom the like Fatality hath lately devolved it to Charles Lord Mansfeld , eldest Son to the Right Honorable William Cavendish , Marquess of Newcastle .

Putwood is another Mannor in this Parish , which in Times of elder Etymology , did acknowlede it self to be under the Signory of a Family , who extracted their Sirname from Vienne in Dauphine in France ; and in several Deeds without Date , there is mention of William de Vienna , who was invested in Land here at Putwood and Ospringe , and in the twentieth year of Edward the third , Lucas de Vienna paid respective Supply , at the making the Black Prince Knight , for Lands which he held at Putwood and Ospringe . After this Family was dissolved and gone , the Quadrings , which was about the beginning of Richard the second , were settled in the possession , where after some small Residence of the Title , it went away by Sale about the latter end of Henry the fourth , to the Ancient Family of Goldwell of great Chart : and here , after it had made some cursory aboad , the same Devolution cast it into the Inheritance of Dryland of Cokes-ditch in Feversham , to whose possession after the Title had , for many years cleaved , it was transported by purchase into the Patrimony of Atwater , so styled , because it is probable this Family had formerly their Residence near some Fountain or Stream , but their Original from whence they primitively issued , was from about Ospringe : for there I find Robert Atwater possest Land at his Death , which was in the fifth year of Edward the third , and in this Name did the Title of the place lie couched , until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then by Sale it was incorporated into the Revenue of Sir James Hales : but long it remained not thus mingled , for the Fate of purchase untwisted it , and not many years after threw it into the Possession of Sayer , from whom in Times which almost bordered upon our Memory , it was by Sale wafted over to Mr. James Hugison of Dover , and he bequeathed it to a second Son , whose Female Heir Mrs. Jane Hugison , by lately matching with Mr. John Roberts Esquire , eldest Son to Sir John Roberts of Canterbury , hath entituled him to the Propriety of it .

Herst in this Parish , was the Ancient Demeasne of Filmer , and here were they seated , until by matching with the Heir of Argall , they were transplanted to East Sutton . I have seen an old Court-roll relating to the Mannor of Monkton in this Parish , which by the Antiquity of it , seemed to commence from the raign of Edward the second , although the Date which stood in the Front , by the in urious Hand of Time , was almost expunged , and ( so ) hardly legible ; wherein at the Foot of it , there is mention of one Edward Filmour , so he was written in that Age , from whom it is probable ( though now the Name by Time and prescription be in the last Syllable of it something violated ) the present Sir Edward Filmer , eldest Son to that Learned , Loyal , and Worthy Person Sir Robert Filmer , lately deceased , is primitively extracted , and this is confirmed by their own private Evidences , which represent them for many Cenerations , even till this present , Possessors of this Place , and wherein the Name is frequently written Filmor , aswel as in latter Escripts Filmer .

There is another Mannor in Ottringden , which anciently was reputed so , though now by Disuse and Intermission it hath lost that Estimate , and is called Hall-place , by a very Ancient Court-roll Sans date , now in the Hands of Mr. Paine . It is represented , in those Times , when it had Tenants and Services belonging to it , to be the propriety of one Roger Rev , and in that Roll there is mention of one Thomas Franklin , who held some Lands of this Mannor , by paying yearly the Tribute or Rent-service of one Red Rose , as the Symbol of his Homage . And now for want of farther Light , from the Ancient Deeds and Evidences ; I must make a leap to the raign of Henry the seventh , and then I find Eugenius Cock , in the nineteenth year of that Prince , sels it to John Bunce of this Parish Gentleman , in which Family the possession rested , until very lately it was by Sale alienated to Mr. Paine .

Monkton is the last place in this Parish of Note : It belonged before the suppression to the Nunnery of Davington , and was given to that Cloyster by Matthew Son of Hamon Atfrith , upon the first Erection of it , which was in the thirty ninth year of Henry the third . Upon the suppression and final Dissolution ' of this Covent of Davington , by Henry the eighth , it was by that Prince granted to Sir Thomas Cheney , whose Son the Lord Henry Cheyney ( so fugitive is the Tenure of Church-Demeasne ) in the entrance into the raign of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away to Godden ; who so small a space was resident in the possession , that he hath only left us Notice that he sold it to William Lewin , descended from the Lewins of Norfolk , whose Son Sir Justinian Lewin concluded in a Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Rogers of the County of Somersett , and so in her Right it became interwoven with his Demeasne : but remained not long thus involved in the Interest of this Name , for in our Memory he deceased , and left only a Daughter and Heir ; who is lately matched to Charles Cavendish Lord Mansfeld , eldest Son to William Lord Marquess of Newcastle , so that Monkton in his Ladies Right is now united to his Inheritance .

There are two Chappels in the Parish Church of Ottringden : that on the North-side of the Chauncel is called Ottringdens Chappel , where the Remains of several of the Ottringdens , St. Legers , Auchers , and Lewins , lie enterred : that on the South-side is termed Bunces Chappel , where the Ashes and Reliques of several of that Family slumber , who were of no contemptible Note in this Parish , where they had a Mansion , which in old Evidences is called Bunces Court , which hath been in their possession , as appears by their own Deeds , some Hundreds of years ; and from hence are the Bunces of Throuley , likewise originally issued forth .

P. P. P. P.

PAdlesworth in the Hundred of Lovingborough , is so obscure and inconsiderable a Village , that it should not have filled a place in this Register , but that it was a portion of that wide Estate which lay spread over the Face of all the adjacent Territorie , and acknowledged it self to be under the Jurisdiction of the Criolls . Bertram de Crioll died about the middle of . Edward the first , and left Joan his Sole Heir , who had been before matched to Sir Richard de Rokesley of Rokesley Court in Northcrey , and so Padlesworth became the Rokesley's , but did not long cleave to that Name , for he expired likewise in two Female Co-heirs , whereof one of them called Joan was matched to Thomas de Poynings , and he left Issue Michael Poynings , from whom it came down to his descendant Robert Poynings , who passed it away by Sale to Fogge of Sene in Newington , in which Family the Title for many Descents lay involved , even until our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was alienated to Dynley , who is the instant Lord of the Fee .

Padlesworth in the Hundred of Larkefeild , was , as high as the raign of H. the third , the Possession of a Family called Chetwind , who immediatly after exchanged it with Hamon de Gatton , for the Mannor of Hocklin in the County of Bedford , but kept it not long : for after it had continued some smal Interval of Time in this Family , it was alienated to the Noble Family of Huntingfeild , after whom succeeded Bele , and then it went away by Sale to Bullock , who by the same Devolution surrendred the possession to Diggs , where it had but a very transitory aboad , for he conveyed it away to Peckham , from whom the ordinary Mutation made by Purchase , brought it to own the Propriety of Vineley , who translated his Interest by Sale unto William Clifford of Bobbing-court , and he about the beginning of Henry the fixt fixed the Title and Possession by Sale in Robert Bambergh . Where it is to be noted , that this quick and suddain Revolution of the Title of this place in those Families , which intervened between Huntingfeild and Bambergh , happened in lesse then a Circle of fifty years , ( as appears by the original Conveyances now in the Hands of Mr. Marsham . ) But to advance in that Discourse where I broke off ; Robert Bambergh above-mentioned , was not long settled in his new Acquists , but he deceased and left it to his Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Nicolas Wotton Esquire , from whom in a direct Line it came down to Thomas Lord Wotton , who settled it in Marriage upon his Daughter and Co-heir Katherine Wotton with Henry Lord Stanhop , eldest Son , and Heir apparent , to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild , and this Lady hath since passed it away to my Noble Friend , John Marsham of Whornes-place in Cuckeston Esquire , from whose Deeds and Papers I have drawn my present Intelligence .

Patricksbourn in the Hundreds of Bredge and Pet-ham , in Ancient Records hath still the Addition of Cheyney annexed to it : for indeed it was the first and original Residence of the Cheyneys , before they translated their Habitation to Shurland in Shepey , by matching with the Heir of Shurland . Alexander de Cheyney is registred in the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen who accompanied Richard the first to the Siege of Acon . In Testa de Nevill , an Ancient Book kept in the Exchecquer , there is mention of Gulielmus de Casineto ( so they are written in Latine ) that is , William de Cheyney , who paid respective supply , in the twentieth year of Henry the third , at the Marriage of Isabell that King's Sister , for his Lands at Patriksbourn Cheyney . Alexander de Cheney Grand-child to the above-said Alexander , Rotulus Pipae de scutagio Walliae An. 42. Henrici tertii . is enrolled in the List of those eminent Kentish Persons , who in the forty second year of Henry the third , accompanied that Prince when he marched from Chester to suppress the emotions of the Welsh . Sir Alexander de Cheyney this mans Son was with King Edward the first in his victorious and triumphant Expedition against the Scots , in the twenty eighth year of his Raign ( as appears by the Rolls of those Kentish Gentlemen , who were embarked in that succesful Design with that Prince ) and from this Alexander did the possession of this place , by an undisordered and even Thread of Descent , through all the Mazes of Time , transmit it self to Henry Lord Cheyney , and he having by his excess and exorbitancy embezelled an Estate of vast Extent and Grandeur ; amongst the Rest passed this away , in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , to William Partrich Esquire , whose Grandchild Sir Edward Partrich in that Age which was within the Verge of our Remembrance , alienated it to Mr. Arnold Brams .

Howletts in this Parish with Hode in Patricksbourn also , were the Ancient Demeasne of Izaack , and there is a Chancel in the Church , which formerly bore the the Name of Izaacks Chancel . John Izaack , in the twentieth year of Edward the third ( as appears by the Book of Aide ) paid an auxiliary supply for his Lands at Patriksbourn , at the investing the Black Prince with Knighthood ; John Isaack his Son lies entombed in Patricksbourn Church , with this Inscription upon his Grave-stone , Orate pro Animabus Joannis Izaack Armigeri , & Ceciliae uxoris eius , qui obiit ...... Anno Domini 1443. Thomas Izaack , as the private Annals of this Family do discover to us , had a Command in France under the Duke of Bedford , where he performed exemplary Service against the French . The last of this Family at this place , was Edward Izaack Esquire , who determined in two Daughters and Coheirs , Mary who was matched to Thomas Apylton of Waldenfield in Suffolk , and another first wedded to ...... Sydley , and after to Sir Henry Palmer , to whose Son she gave Howletts , as being , upon the Division of her Fathers Estate , made her Inheritance : from whom Sir Henry Palmer now of St. Martins-hill in Canterbury , is descended , who hath lately alienated Howletts to Sir Robert Hales Knight and Baronet .

Peckham in the Hundreds of Twyford and Littlefeild , is distinguished from the other ; first by its Bulk and Dimension , this being called commonly great Peckham ; and then secondly by its Situation , being styled in Records East-Peckham . It was given to the Church of the Trinity , that is , Christ-church in Canterbury , by Queen Edgiva , to the Monks of that Covent , ad Cibum , for a support of their Diet and Alimony , in the year of Grace , nine hundred forty and one : and if you will see how it was rated in the great Register of Domes-day Book , take here a View of it ; Peckham , saies that Record , Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VI. Sullings , and so forth : Peckham in the Time of Edward the King , that is the Confessor , went for seven Plough-Lands , and defends it self now ( that is , in the Time of the Conqueror ) after the same Estimate , and was rated upon the Appraisement formerly at twelve lb. but now is stated at eight . And , thus regulated , was it for many Ages fastned to the Patrimony of the Church , until the Dissolution , in the raign of Henry the eighth , unloosned the Cement , in the twenty ninth year of that Prince ; who afterwards about the thirty sixth year of his Raign , grants this and divers other parcels of the Church-Demeasne to Sir Thomas Wiatt , who not long after by Livery and Seisin , passes away his Right in it to George Moulton Esquire : but because there was a Fine and Recovery wanting , the Sale was imperfect , so that he had it only in Abeiance ( as the Law styles it ) or in Expectance , so that the Crown , in the second of Queen Mary , upon the Defection and Attaint of Sir Thomas Wiat , finding this in the Tenure of Moulton , seised upon it as parcel of Wiats Estate , because it had not been before legally conveyed . And here it rested , till Queen Elizabeth , in the second year of her raign , granted it to Anthony Weldon Esquire , one of the Justices of Peace for this County under the raign of Queen Mary , at which Time he became eminent , by his vigorous opposing Sir Thomas Wiat , in that Design he was then embarked in ; and in this Family ( though not without some Struglings and Conflicts at Law , about the Title ) does the Propriety of this Mannor at this instant reside .

There is an eminent Seat in this Parish called Roydon-Hall , which was before called Fortune , but was of no great Account , until about the beginning of Henry the sixth , and then Roydon of Suffolk , came into this County , and seated himself here , and erected this Pile , upon which he fixed his own Name , which it hath been known by ever since , though it hath changed its Possessor : for this Family was extinguished in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth , who was the only surviving Issue of Thomas Roydon Esquire , who by matching with William Twisden Esquire , made it the Inheritance of William Twisden Esquire Great Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet , who obtained a Charter of Free-warren from the late King to reduce a certain proportion of Ground into a Parke which is that the House is surrounded with at present , though the House owe much of its Magnificence and Splendor to the Care and Expence of his Grand-father Roger Twisden Esquire , and his Father Sir William Twisden Knight and Baronet .

Alban vulgarly called Auburne , is another place of eminent Consideration in East-Peckham . This with Black-pits , in this Parish , was anciently the Inheritance of a Family called Pollard : for John the Son of John Pollard in the thirty forth year of Edward the first , demises it to Alban de Wandesworth , who , it is probable , erected some Mansion House upon it , from whence Posterity took the Advantage to adopt it into his Sirname ; and from him did it devolve by successive Right , to his Grandchild William de Wandesworth , who dying without Issue , gave it to his Widow Mabell Wandesworth , who was remarried to Richard Ryner ; and they both by a joint Concurrence , in the second year of Richard the second , passed Albans and Black-pits away to John Mew : yet I find a Family called Onley , interessed in some part of both these Mannors , which was purchased of William de Wandeshine , in the raign of Henry the third ; and in this Family was the Title lodged , untill the second year of Richard the second , and then Joan Only , in whom the Name and Possession both concluded , alienated her Proportion to the abovesaid John Mew : nor was some parcell of both these Mannors free from the claim of a Family called Goldsmith ; for in the ninth year of Richard the second , Richard Goldsmith , does devest himself of all Concernment in it , and by Sale transmitts it to John Mew , and from him , about the latter end of Henry the fourth , both these Mannors with all their Appendages , were passed away to Iohn Tutsham , and Nicholas Remkin of Eastmere : but he determined in Alize Remkin his Sole Inheritrix , who by matching with Thomas Rolfe of Tunbridge , brought her Interest in Albans and Black-pits , to be the Inheritance of that Family , but long the Right of both these places continued neither in Rolfe nor Tutsham ; for about the beginning of Henry the sixth , they were alienated by Sale to Thomas Stidulfe of Badsell Esquire ; and he by Deed , bearing date 1463 , that is , about the third year of Edward the fourth , settles them on his two Sons Robert and Henry Stidulfe ; and in the Deed , there is a remembrance , that they were purchased of Rolfe and Tutsham . From Robert they descended to his Son Thomas Stidulfe , who was Heir both to his Father and his Uncle , but he concluded in a Daughter and Heir , who was matched ( about the latter end of Henry the eighth ) to Richard Vane , Ancestor to the right honorable Mildmay Fane , now Earl of Westmerland , who in Right of this Alliance , now enjoys Black-pits : but Albans was by Henry Vane , Successor to the above-mentioned Richard , in the year 1589 , passed away to Roger Twisden of Roydon-Hall Esquire , Grand Father to the instant Proprietary Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet .

Eastmere is another Mannor in East-Peckham , which acknowledged a Family called Remkin , anciently to be its Possessors : John Remkin , was Father of Christian Remkin , who held it , as appears by an ancient Court-roll , in the thirty fourth year of Edward the third ; and from him , did it , by paternal Vicissitude , devolve to Nicholas Remkin , in whom the male-line failed : so that Alice his Sole Daughter became the visible Heir to his Estate , and she by matching with Thomas Rolfe of Tunbridge , knit this and other Land here at Great Peckham , to his Patrimony , but it did not long thus continue united , for John Rolfe his Son , in the sixth year of Henry the sixth , conveys it to Richard Ruyton , and he in the eighth year of the abovesaid Prince , alienated it to William Hextall : but he deceasing without Issue-male , Margaret , his Sole Daughter , by her Inter-marriage with William Whetenhall , originally descended from the ancient Family of Whetenhall of Whetenhall in Cheshire , cast it into the Possession of that Name , from whom it is now descended to my worthy Friend Thomas Whetenhall of Hextall Court , Esquire .

Spilfted is a fourth Mannor in this Parish : It was the Inheritance for diverse Ages ( as appears by the Evidences , now in the Custody of Sir Roger Twisden ) of an ancient Family called Cayser ; the last of which Name , who enjoyed this place , was John Cayser , who went out in Daughters and Coheirs ; one of which was wedded to Matthew Chetwind , to whom , this place , upon the Separation of the Estate into parcells , in his Wifes Right accrued ; and he after some small residence in the Possession , passed away his Right by Sale in the one and fortieth year of Queen Eliz. to Roger Twisden Esq. Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet the instant Lord of the Fee , a Person upon whom I need drop no other Character , when I say , that in these times , when there is such a Damp , and Astonishment , by publick blastings and discouragements cast upon Literature , He is both a Gentleman and a Scholler .

Here is likewise a Seat in Peckham very venerable for its Antiquity , which in old Rolls , is called Hextall Court , and was the Mansion of Gentlemen of principal Account in this Track . In a Deed without Date , Simon de Hougham , does demise certain pieces of Land to John de Hextall , which lay within the Limits of the Parish of Hougham , where anciently this Family enjoyed no contemptible Possessions , as well as at East-Peckham . The last of this Name at this place , was William Hextall who dyed without Issue-male , and left Margaret his only Heir , who was matched to William Whetenhall Esquire , in the raign of Henry the seventh , descended from the ancient and illustrious Family of Whetenhall of Whetenhall in the County of Chester , and so it was incorporated into the Income of that Family , where it hath ever since remained ; so that it is now the present Inheritance of Thomas Whetenhall Esquire .

West-Peckham or Little Peckham , in the Hundreds of Twyford and Littlefield , was annexed to the Demeasne of the Knights Templars , when John Colepeper founded a Praeceptory here for them , in the year of our Lord 1 .... which upon the finall Extirpation , and Dissolution of their Order , here in England , in the second year of Edward the second , was granted to the Knights Hospitallers , and was sometimes called a Praeceptory , and sometimes a Commandry . Now a Praeceptory was a Benefice in Kind , and was termed so ; because this , and all others of the same Capacity , were possest by the more eminent sort of Templars , whom the Chief Master created and called Praeceptores Templi ; A Commandry was some principal Mannor of the Knights Hospitallers , wherein was placed some Brother of the Order , who could not dispose of the Profits of it , but was to mannage it only to the Use of the whole Fraternity , deducting so much of the Revenue , as might support his Livelyhood and Subsistence , of which see more in Dr. Cowells Interpreter , in his Notes and Comment upon the word Commaundry . This upon the Suppression , was by Henry the eighth , in the thirty second year of his raign , granted to Sir Robert Southwell , afterwards of the Privy Councell to King Edward the sixth , and Queen Mary ; who not long after alienated it to Sir Edmund Walsingham of Scadbery , Lieutenant of the Tower , from whom it came down by Descent , to my Noble Friend Sir Thomas Walsingham , his Great Grand-child , who not long since , passed it over by Sale , to his Son in Law Mr. James Masters .

Oxenheath is an ancient Mannor in West-Peckham , and was many Ages past the Demeasn of Colepeper , Walter Colepeper dyed seised of it , in the first year of Ed. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. And from him , by Successive Transmission threaded together by many Descents , did it devolve to ...... Colepeper , who determined towards the latter end of Henry the seventh , in three Daughters and Coheirs : Margaret the eldest , was matched to William Cotton of the County of Cambridge ; Joyce the second , was wedded to Edmund Howard , a younger Son of Thomas Duke of Norfolke , who was Father to Katharine Howard one of the infortunate Wives of Henry the eighth ; and the third was espoused to Barham , of Barham-court in Teston , and these three Sisters shared his Inheritance , and this upon the Partition was annexed to the Demeasn of Cotton , whose Successor passed it away by Sale to Chowne of Faire-lane , in which Name it did not long continue ; for Sir George Chowne , in our Fathers Memory , being desirous to abridge and contract all his Estate , into the County of Sussex , alienated this Seat to Nicholas Miller Esquire , who upon his Decease , bequeathed it to his Nephew Sir Nicholas Miller , to whom we ascribe the new Additions , which are set out with all the Circumstances both of Art and Magnificence ; and is now possest by his Son and Heir Hump. Miller Esquire .

Pencehurst is seated upon the utmost Boundary of the Lowy of Tunbridge , and was an eminent Mansion of a very Ancient Family whose Sirname was Penchester , of whom there is mention in the Great Survey of England , taken in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror , vulgarly called Doomes-day Book , and in this Family did the possession reside , until the two Daughters and Co-heirs of the famous Sir Stephen de Penchester , who was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , and Constable of Dover Castle , in the Raign of Edward the second , and who died seised of it , in the year of that Prince's Government , Rot. Esc . Numb . ... divided the Inheritance ; Joane the eldest was matched to Henry Lord Cobham of Roundall in Shorne , and she carried away Allington-castle , Alice the other Daughter and Co-heir was wedded to John Lord Columbers , and she had Pencehurst , and other Lands for her proportion . And he had Issue by her Thomas de Columbers , who by his Deed dated at Pencehurst , in the eleventh year of Edward the third , passes away his Right in it to Sir John de Poultney , and he in the twelfth year of the above-mentioned Prince , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Pencehurst , and in the twentieth year of Edward the third , paid Aid for it , at making the Black Prince Knight ; and held it at his Decease , which was in the twenty third year of that Prince , and left it to his Son William Poultney , who immediatly after alienated it to Guy Lovain , who had Issue Sir Nicolas Lovain , who held Pencehurst , in the forty fourth year of Edward the third , and married Margaret eldest Daughter to John Vere Earl of Oxford , re-married to Henry Lord Beaumont , and after to Sir John Devereux , Knight of the Garter , Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports , Constable of Dover-castle , and Steward of the Kings House , in the eleventh year of King Richard the second . In the sixteenth year of whose raign , he had Licence by Letters Patents to fortifie and embattel his Mansion-house at Pencehurst . His Daughter and Heir was matched to Walter Lord Fitz-water , from whom the Earls of Sussex descended : and he had a Brother named Sir Walter Devereux , from whom the late Earl of Essex was derived , and the Arms of this Sir John Devereux were not long since extant in a Window , on the North-side of Pencehurst Church ; But he only enjoyed this Mannor in Right of his Wife , for after her Death it devolved to Philip St. Clere of Aldham St. Clere in Eightham , who married Margaret Daughter of Sir Nicolas Lovain , above-mentioned , Sister and Heir to her Brother Nicolas Lovain , who died without Issue . And by her he had John St. Clere , who passed away his Right here to John Duke of Bedford , third Son to Henry the fourth , and he enjoyed Pencehurst at his Decease , which was in the fourteenth year of Henry the sixth : but dying without Issue , it came down to Humphrey Duke of Gloucester , fourth Son of Henry the fourth , who was strangled in the Abby of Bury , by the procurement and practises of the Duke of Suffolke : and he likewise going out without Posterity , it returned to the Crown . And Henry the sixth , in the twenty fifth year of his raign , granted it to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham , whose infortunate Grandchild , Edward Duke of Buckingham , endeavouring by a specious Semblance of Vanity and Ostentation , guilded with all the Cunning and Pompe of Magnificence to make himself popular , and entering afterwards into Consultation with a Monk , and another , who pretended to the dark Art of Necromancy , about the Succession of the Crown , poured in so many Jealousies into the Bosome of Henry the eighth , which were multiplied to the height of Treason by the malice of Cardinal Wolsey , that nothing could allay or appease them , but the Effusion of this mans Blood , in the twelfth year of that Prince , upon a Scaffold . Upon whose infortunate Exit , this Mannor escheated to the Crown , and here it remained , until King Henry the eighth , granted it to his faithful Servant Sir Ralph Vane , who being entangled with John Duke of Somersett , in that obscure Design , which was destructive to them both , in the fourth year of Edward the sixth ; this was again seised upon by the Crown , as escheated by his Conviction , and remained with its Revenue , until the above-said Prince , in the sixth year of his Government , by Royal Concession planted the Inheritance in Sir William Sidney his Tutor , who was likewise Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold , and one of his Privy Councel : from whom it is descended to his great Grand-child , the Right Honorable Robert Earl of Leicester , designed Lord Lievtenant of Ireland , by the late King Charles , and he is the instant Proprietary of it .

Pencehurst Halymote is another little Mannor in this Parish , and had still the same Owners with Pencehurst , and upon the Tragedy of Edward Duke of Buckingham , devolving by Escheat to the Crown , lay couched in the Royal Revenue , until the State not many years since , passed it away by Grant to Colonel Robert Gibbons .

Pepenbury , vulgarly called Pembury , is seated in the Hundreds of Watchlingston and Twyford , and contains within the Limits of it that noted Seat called Bayhall , which was the Ancient Seat of the Ancient Family of Colepepers . The first of which whom I find made eminent by Record , is Thomas de Colepeper , who was as appears by the Bundels of incertain years in the Pipe-Office one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae , in the raign of King John ; a place , if we consider the Meridian of those Times , for which it was calculated , that is , before the establishment of the Conservators of the Peace , of eminent Trust and Concernment . And certainly this man was Father of that Thomas Colepeper , who was brought upon the Stage , and his Tragedy represented at Leeds Castle , where he was sacrificed to the Anger of Edward the second , because he was a more faithful Castellan to the Lord Badelesmer , then he was a Loyal Subject to his Soveraign , and with his Life he lost his Estate here at Pepenbury : Yet I find by the close Rols of the seventeenth year of Edward the second , Memb. 5. that there was much of his Land here , and in other places , by the Indulgence of that Prince , restored to his Son Thomas de Colepeper , but yet the Mannor and this Seat remained lodged in the Crown ; yet certainly it was no contemptible parcel of Land , that was granted back : for Richard the second by Royal Concession gave Licence to Thomas Colepeper to inclose fifty Acres of Land into a Park at Pepenbury . But to advance : In the twenty fifth year of Henry the sixth , the Crown devests it self of its Right to both these places , and transplants it by Grant into Humphrey Stafford the Duke of Buckingham , from whom they descended to his infortunate Grand-child , Edward Duke of Buckingham , who lost both his Life and Estate , being attainted in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth : After his Tragedy , they continued until the twenty fourth year of Henry the eighth , in the possession of the Crown , and then they were passed away by Grant to Sir Edward Guldford , and again confirmed to him , in the twenty eighth year of that Prince's raign , and from him not long after by Joane his Female Heir , they increased the Patrimony of John Dudley , after Duke of Northumberland , and he in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , alienated them to Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex , whose Story , Tragedy , and Attaint , in the thirty second year of the abovesaid Prince , are represented to our view in such obvious Characters , that I shall not need again to unvail them . Upon his ruinous Catastrophe , they revert to the Crown , and lay shut up in the Royal Revenue , until the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth , and then they were made by a new Grant the Inheritance of William Wybourn and Anthony Brown Esquires ; but that Proportion which was setled in Brown , was not long resident in that Family ; for in the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth , it was alienated to William Wybourn Esquire : nor was the Interest of these places of any long Date after this in Wybourn , for in our Grand-fathers Memory , the Fate of Sale annexed them to the Patrimony of Thomas Sackvill Lord Buckurst , whose Grand-child the Right Honorable Edward Sackvill Earl of Dorset , not many years since conveyed his Right in them to Mr. ...... Amherst .

Halkewell is an eminent Mannor in this Parish and was a Branch of that Demeasne , which fell under the Signory of the Priory of Begham , and so remained until the Dissolution , and then it was by Henry the eighth , about the Time of their suppression , that is , 1525. granted to John Wybourn , who was Tenant to that Abby upon the Suppression ; but was Anciently seated at a place called Culverdens , whither they arrived from about Crofton in Orpington , where they originally were planted , about the latter end of Henry the third : and from this Iohn Wybourn , was Mr. Benjamin Wybourn descended , who upon his late Death hath left this Mannor to his Widow Mrs. Blanch Wybourn , eldest Daughter to Sir Iohn Philipott of the County of South-Hampton .

Bencrouch , Highlands , and Prigles , were Mannors which related to the Patrimony of the Abby of Rothers-bridge in Sussex , and in the year 1525 , were pared off from the Ecclesiasticall Revenue by Cardinal Wolsey , when he layed the Foundations of his Stately Colledge at Christ-church in Oxford , which , like some Embrio , for want of Maturity , became imperfect and indigested by his Death , and then these places , being found in his Hands at his Decease , were seised upon by Henry the eighth , who in the twenty fourth year , granted them to George Guldford Esquire , who not long after , conveyed them by Sale to Sir Alexander Colepeper , who had a Confirmation of them from the Crown , about the thirty fifth year of that Prince's Government , and in this Family did they continue laid up , untill the Title was in our Fathers remembrance , dislodged , and by Sale resigned up to Nicholas Miller Esquire , who upon his Decease without Issue , left them to his Nephew , Sir Nicholas Miller ; and he upon his late Decease , hath left them to his Son and Heir Humphrey Miller Esquire .

Preston situated in the Hundred of Feversham , contains sundry places within the Boundaries of it , of no vulgar Account . The first is Makenade , which was the Mansion for many Ages , of Gentlemen of that Sitname , whereof William Makenade was Sheriff of Kent , in the thirty third year of Edward the third , and held his Shrievalty at this House , which then was of more Magnificence , though now it lye almost gasping in its own Ruines , being crushed into that Disorder by the rough Hand of Time ; from this Man it descended to his Grandchild William Makenade , who in the eighth year of Henry the fourth , dying without Issue-male , Constance Makenade , his only Daughter became his Heir , who carried this Seat along with her , to her Husband John Waterslip , by whom she had Issue Margaret , matched to Henry London , and Joan wedded to Thomas Mathew , who upon the Division of the Estate , shared this House , and the Land which related to it ; in which Family after the Inheritance had been for several years shut up , it at length by Sale went out to Maycot , who about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away by Sale to Martin James Esquire , Register of the Chancery , whose Great Grand-child Mr. ....... James , enjoys the present Fee-Simple of it .

Perry Court in Preston was the Mansion of a good old Family called Barrett , who enjoyed this Seat as high as the raign of Edward the second , and then , I find it was under the Signiory of one Iohn de Perry , to whom , and to whose Family it seems , it afforded anciently , both Seat and Sirname : Valentine Barrett , who matched with Cicelie , Daughter and Coheir of Marcellus Att Leeze , and Niece of Sir Richard Att Leeze , was the last of the Name who held this place ; for he determined in Cicelie his only Daughter and Heir , who was wedded to John Darrell of Cale-hill Esquire , for his first Wife , who was elder Brother of Sir William Darrell , under-Treasurer of England , branched out from the knightly Family of the Darrells of Sesay in York-hire whose Heir General matched with the Ancestor of Dawney , now Proprietary of that place , and by this Alliance , Perry Court came to be knit to to the Demeasn of Darrell of Cale-hill , for many Descents , untill , in the raign of Henry the eighth , it fell to be divided between two Brothers , Sir James Darrell Knight , and John Darrell Gentleman . John Darrell in the first year of Henry the eighth , alienated his proportion to Stephen Jennins , and he in the sixth year of that Prince , conveyed it to Thomas Michell and he in the eighth of his raign , passed it away to Robert Dokket , who two years after demised it to Alan Percy ; and Alan Percy in the fourteenth year of Henry the eighth , transmitted it by Sale , to John Park , who likewise purchased the other Moiety , the same year of Sir James Darrell , and so became sole Owner of Perry Court , from whom by Elizabeth his Sole Daughter and Heir , it was carried off , to John Roper of Lingsted Esquire , and he in the twenty fifth year of Q. Eliz. transferred all his Concernment in it to William Finch , by whose Daughter and Coheir , it was annexed to the Inheritance of Sir Drue Drewry of Norfolke , and he in the Beginning of King James , passed it away to Thomas Bennet Esquire , whose Descendants are still entituled to the Possession of it .

Westwood is a third place in Preston not to be declined in our Account . It was , as high as I can trace out , under the Jurisdiction of the eminent Family of Poynings . Michaell Poynings , who was Son of Thomas Lord Poynings , held it at his Death , which was in the forty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 14. And from him did it by a constant Tide of uninterrupted Interest , surrender it self up to Sir Edward Poynings , who in the fourteenth year of Henry the eighth , dyed without any lawful Issue , and as it appeared too then without any collateral Alliance , that could by any Title knit by never so far distant an Affinity to him lay the Foundations of any pretended Claim to his estare ; so that it escheated to the Crown , and K.H. the eighth in the thirty second and thirty third of his Rule granted it to I. Limsey , who not many years after , passed it away to Alderman Garret of London Ancestor to Sir Iohn Garret of the County of Hertford Baronet , in whom the possession of this place is at this instant resident .

Preston in the Hundred of Wingham , was the Inheritance of the Lord Leybourn . William de Leybourn , had a Grant of a Market and a Fair , to his Mannor of Preston , in the thirty fifth year of Edward the first ; from whom it descended to his Son Roger de Leybourn , who went out in a Daughter and Heir called Juliana Leybourn , so often mentioned in this Discourse , who first matched to John de Hastings , a Kinsman of Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke . That he was not his Son , is most evident , for then he must by Consequence , have been her second Husband : for William de Clinton who was her second Husband , and hath been by publike Records , always so reputed , deceased by the Testimony of all , in the twenty eighth of Edward the third : Juliana his Wife , in the forty third year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 57. And John de Hastings in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , which upon a serious Computation of Time , makes it impossible that this John de Hasting , whom all conclude to have been her first Husband should be that John , who was Son to Laurence Earl of Pembroke ; nor could it be any other William de Clinton , then this before mentioned . First , because he was the last Earl of Huntington of the Name . Secondly , if we should make him to be any other , he must be designed Husband for this Juliana , after the Death of this John de Hasting , who survived this Juliana six years , as appears by the former ballancing of Time , which will appear altogether absurd and impossible . Thirdly , all do concurre , that this William de Clinton who was her second Husband , was Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , in the twelfth year of Edward the third , Admiral of the Narrow-Seas Westward in the fifteenth year , and had the Custody of all the Kings Forrests Southwards beyond Trent , in the seventeenth year of that Prince's Government , which could be no other , than this William Earl of Huntington , who although he were fruitful in Offices , he was not so in Children , for he dyed without Issue by this Lady Juliana , who after his death remained in the State of Widowhood ( for ought I can yet discover ) untill her decease : for in the Escheat-roll mentioned before , she is styled Comitissa de Huntington , upon whose death , none appearing either directly or collaterally , who justly could entitle themselves to her Patrimony , the Crown claimed it as an escheat ; and Richard the second , granted it to Sir Simon de Burleigh , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , who being afterwards attainted , in the tenth year of that Prince it was re-invested in the royal Revenue , and was not long after by Richard the second , granted to the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-hill , and some part of it to the Priory of Canons Langley , and sometimes written Childrens Langley : and here it dwelt untill the general Suppression , and then King Henry the eighth , in the thirty fifth year of his reign , granted it to Sir Thomas Moile , whose Daughter and Coheir Amy Motle , incorported it into the demeasne of her Husband Sir Thomas Kempe : where it had had no long aboad , when this Sir Thomas dyed without Issue-male , and left his estate to be divided between four Daughters and Coheirs : Anne one of whom , carried this away to Sir Thomas Chichley , of the County of Cambridge , whose Son Thomas Chichley Esquire , hath lately by Sale transmitted his Right in it , to Mr. ..... Spence , and Mr. Robert Spence of Baukham in Sussex .

Preston by Wingham had the Grant of a Market procured to it on the Monday , and a Fair of three days continuance , at the Feast of St. Crosse , in the thirty fifth of Edw. the first . Sir Simon de Burleigh , had the Grant of a Market renued to this place on the Friday , and a Fair by the space of three days at the Feast of St. Mildred the Virgin , in the tenth year of Richard the second .

Petham gives Name in part , to that Hundred wherein it hath its Position , being called the Hundred of Bredge and Petham , and was always a Mannor folded up in the revenue of the Arch-bishop , though I confess I cannot trace out in the wilderness of Antiquity who was the first Donor . If you peruse the Pages of Doomes-day Book , you wil find it there thus represented ; Petham est proprium Manerium Archiepiscopi & in Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VII Sullings , & nunc similiter , & est appretiatum XX lb. And this is enough to refute that mistake in Eadmerius not long since printed by Mr. Selden : which I believe is only by Accident and not voluntary , which says that Anselm mortgaged or pawned Peckham to the Monks of Canterbury which was long before given to them by Q. Edgiva : Indeed it should have been printed Petham ; that being always as you have seen a Mannor of the Arch-bishops , till it was engaged , which it seems was never redeemed ; for it continued in the revenue of the Monks in Christ-church , until the Dissolution ; and then it was transplanted into the revenue of the Crown , and lay there until K. James in our Fathers memory granted it to Tho. Thompson Esq ; Ancestor to Mr. Thompson Esq ; who now enjoys the possession of it .

Swerdling is a Mannor in this Parish of as eminent Account as any in this Track , and was the Capital Mansion of the Noble and ancient Family of Valoigns . Ruallo de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent in the first year of Henry the second , and in the Pipe-rolls of that year , is written of Swerdling : and he was witness to King Stephen's Charter , Rot. Pipae de An. 13. Hen. tertii . whereby he grants the Mill at East-Bridge in Canterbury to the Monks of Christ-church . Waretius de Valoigns is in the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted Richard the first at the Siege of Acon in Palestine . Robert de Valoigns had the Repute of a Baron in the thirteenth year of Henry the third , and under that Notion held the fourth part of a Knights Fee of Wallingford Castle . Allan de Valoigns , was Sheriff of Kent , in the thirty first , thirty second , thirty third , and thirty fourth years of Henry the third , and held his Shrievalty at Swerdling . Waretius de Valoigns in the forty fifth year of Henry the third , by his Deed remits divers Services to Cicely Wife of Robert de Grencbold which were due from her to his Mannor of Swerdling . William de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent the third , fourth , fifth , and sixth years of Edward the first , and his Son Sir William de Valoigns was engaged with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland , and for some remarkable Service there performed , received the Order of Knighthood . Henry de Valoigns was Sheriff of Kent in the fourteenth year of Edward the third , and he had Issue Waretius de Valoigns , in whom the Male-line failed , so that his two Daughters , ( one matched to Sir Thomas Fogge Grandchild to Otho Fogge , who came out of Lancashire into Kent about the Beginning of Edw. the first , and the other wedded to Tho. de Aldon ) became his Heirs : and this upon the breaking of the estate into parcels fell to be the proportion of Fogge , in which Name after it had for divers ages continued fixed , it was in that Age we style our Grandfathers alienated to Spelman , and this Family not many years since determining in a Female Heir , it is now by matching with her become the Inheritance of Hadds .

Sapinton in Petham was the Inheritance of a Family called Bregge ; for in the forty second year of Edward the third , I find Jo. Bregge conveys this Mannor to Sir Richard Atteleeze , and he dying without Issue , it descended to Marcellus Atteleeze , who was his Brother and Heir at Law ; but he suddenly after expir'd , and with him the Name in Daughters and Coheirs , whereof Luce who was one of them , was first matched to John Norton Esq ; and after to William Langley of Knolton , whose Heirs about the latter end of Richard the second , concurred in a joynt and mutual Bargain and Sale , and passed away their Interest in this Mannor ; which was too much disordered and ravel'd whilst it lay thus mingled , to George Ballard Esquire ; from whom by the Clew of several Ages the Title went along to Nicholas Ballard Esquire , who about the latter end of Philip and Mary , alienated it to Langford , and from this Name the four Brothers joyning in the Sale ; in that Age which was circumscribed within our Fathers Remembrance , it was carried off by Sale to Cranmer of Canterbury , whose Son Mr. ........ Cranmer is by Descent , successively entituled to the present Propriety of it .

Hauts-place in this Parish was the Fountain from whence that noble Family which fell under that Sirname originally streamed out , which afterwards dispersed it self in sub-divided Rivolets over the face of this County . Ivo de Haut , the first of this Name that ancient Record represents to us , is mentioned in a Book kept in the Exchequer called Liber de Terris Templariorum , which is a Survey of those Lands that Order held in England in the year of Grace One thousand one hundred and eighty ; and there it is affirmed that he held this Mannor of Temple Waltham , and from this Ivo de Haut did the Title in a never-ebbing Current of Descent glide down to Sir William Haut , who was Sheriff of Kent in the sixteenth year , and then again promoted to that Office in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , and not long after deceased , and with him the Name found its Funeral in two Daughters and Co-heirs , one of which termed Elizabeth , was matched to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire , to whom this place in the right of his Wife devolved . And from his Family in the Age within the confines of our Grand-fathers Remembrance , it was passed away by Sale to Salkeld , who not many years since conveyed the Possession over to Bateman .

There was a Chauntry founded at Depden in this Parish ( as appears by a Manuscript in the Hands of Mr. Thomas Den Recorder of Canterbury , lately deceased , ) founded and endowed by William Gratian Priest in the Raign of Henry the fourth ; Whose Revenue upon the Dissolution of this Chauntry in the second year of Edward the sixth , was granted to Jo. Come and Richard Almot , who not long after passed it away to Wilt. Forbrasse Yeoman , a Name in some old Deeds written Fortbrasse , which argues it to be of French extraction , and from this Family it was about the Beginning of K. James carried off by Sale to Gregory , who within the Verge of some few years fast past , alienated the Title to Sladden of Liminge .

Postling lies in the Hundred of Hene , and was , in Ages of a very high Ascent , the Patrimony of the Noble Family of Columbers , a Name in Times of elder Cognisance of very great reputation in the West of England ; Philip de Columbariis or Columbers , held it at his Decease , which was in the fifth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 5. But after him I discover no more of this Family at this place . The next that is represented to be Possessor of it , is Hugh de Audley , and he held it as appears by ancient Court-rolls in the raign of Edward the second , and Edward the third , and passed it away to Delves of Delves Court in the County of Chester , where it seems it had no long aboad ; for about the forty third year of Edward the third , John de Delves alienates it to Richard Earl of Arundell ; for which the Earl is pardoned , because he purchased it without License first obtained from the King as appears , Pat. de Anᵒ 43. Edw. tertii Parte secunda Memb. septim . And in this Family was it for many Generations fixed and resident ; until the thirty eighth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was by Sale transmitted to Sir Anthony Aucher . But the Tenure of it in this Family was brief and Transitory ; for about the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth it went away from this Name to Robert Cranmer Esquire , Nephew to Thomas Cranmer Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who expiring in a Female Heir , she brought it along with her to Sir Arthur Harris of Crixey in Essex ; from whom it is devolved to his Son and Heir Sir Cranmer Harris , who holds the instant Possession of it .

Henewood is another Mannor in this Parish , from whence the Honywood of Elmsted , and those of Pett in Charing do extract their Sirname : And Edmund de Honywood who in the raign of Hen. the third is remembred in the Front and Van of those in the Leiger Book of Horton Priory , who were munificent Benefactors to that Covent , is set down there to have been of Postling , and as this Place was then , so is it still through all that Flux and Decursion of Time which hath since elapsed , wound up in that revenue , which acknowledges the Signorie and Jurisdiction of this ancient Name and Family .

Pluckley in the Hundred of Calehill , was originally a Mannor which owned the Arch-bishops of Canterbury for Lords of the Fee , until Lanfranc Arch-bishop of Canterbury gave it to William Brother of John de Cobham , who in the Grant is styled Miles Archiepiscopi ; not that he was ever any Knight or Souldier that attended upon him ; but that he granted him this Mannor to hold in Knights Service of him and his Successors , which was very usual and customary for the Arch-bishops and other great Prelates to do ; until King Edward the first growing jealous of the Power and Grandeur of the Clergie , who endeavoured by their Bounty and magnificent Donations to oblige both the principal of the Nobility and Gentry , and chain them up by these extraordinary Engagements to their Devotion , caused the Statute called Quia emptores Terrarum , in the one and twentieth of his raign to be made , which restrains and supersedes for the future all new Creations of Mannors . But to proceed , William de Cobham being thus enstated in this Mannor , in Gratitude to the first Donor , altered his Name from Cobham to Pluckley . Sir Richard de Pluckley this mans Grandchild , flourished in the raign of King Stephen , and Henry the second , and founded the Church at Pluckley ; and from this man did William de Pluckley lineally branch out , in whom the Male-Line concluded , so that Agnes his Daughter and Heir , by matching with John Surrenden Esquire , cast Pluckley into the Possession of that Name and Family : where it had not long sojourned , when the same Vicissitude brought it over to Haut : for James Haut wedded Joan Heir General of John Surrenden , and so became Possessor of Pluckley ; but in this Name the Title was as volatile and mutable as in the former : for this man went out in Daughters and Co-heirs , one of them was wedded to Gouldwell , and Christian the other was matched to John Dering Esquire , in whose Right he was entituled to the Signory of Pluckley . Now if you will inquire , where lay the ancient Land of Dering , if my Assertion might be credited , I should affirm , that it was at Stamford by Hieth , where they were Lords of some part of the little Mannot of Heyton : for by an old Roll , I find that Normanus de Morinis , married Kineburga Daughter and Heir of Deringus , and his Son as was Customary in those Times , called himself Deringus de Morinis , and matched with Elveva Sister and Heir of Alanus de Heyton , and so was invested in the Propriety of the Mannor of Heyton , from whom it successively came down to Richard Fitz Dering , who was Son of Dering , and great Grand-child to this man , who was the first who deserted the Sirname de Morinis , and assumed that of Dering , and died possest of the Mannor of Heyton , in the forty second year of Henry the third . And from this Richard Fitz Dering is Sir Edward Dering Baronet , now lineally extracted , who is the instant Lord of Pluckley and Surrenden Dering , where Sir Edward Dering Knight and Baronet , not many years since deceased , raised that elegant Structure , as eminent for its Magnificence and Beauty , as it is for its Contrivance and Curiosity .

Pevington was formerly a Parish , and had a Church dedicated to St. Mary , though it be now languished into Dis-use , and grown an adjunct to Pluckley ; The Patrons as well as Proprietaries of it were the Pevingtons , a Knightly Family , who borrowed their Sirname from hence . The first whom I meet with , is Sir Ralph de Pevington , who flourished here , in the raign of King John , and King Henry the third , and was Father to Sir William de Pevington , who likewise died possest of this Mannor , in the fifty fourth year of Henry the third , from whom descended John and William Pevington , who dying without Issue , in the seventh year of Henry the fourth , Amabilia their Sister , matched to John Gobion , became their Heir , and she lies buried in the Church of Austin-Friars at Canterbury , and is mentioned to have been a liberal Benefactresse to that Cloister , about the Time of her Decease , which was 1405. and had Issue by him Julian their only Daughter , who was about the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth , matched to William Brent , from whom descended Thomas Brent , in whom the Name and Male-Line together was extinguished , so that Margaret Brent matched to John Dering , was the visible Heir of his Estate , amongst which this Mannor of Pevington , was enwrapped , which came down in Right of this Alliance to Sir Edward Dering Knight and Baronet , who upon his Decease gave it after the Death of his Mother , the Widow Dowager of Sir Anthony Dering , to Mr. Henry Dering , the eldest Son by his last Lady .

Malmains in Pluckley , was the Inheritance of a Family of that Sirname . Eleanor Wife of John de Malmins died seised of it , in the fourteenth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 51. And after by Court-rols , I discover Henry Malmains to be possest of it , from whom it descended to Richard Malmains , who died ( as the Date upon his Tomb-stone in Plukley Church discovers to us ) in the year 1440. and left John Malmains his Heir , after whom I descry no farther mention of this Family ; at this place : The next Family which succeeded in the Inheritance was Dering , not by any Right derived from Haut : for they had espoused the Heir of that Name before Malmains was extinguished : nor could it be by any Female Heir atchieved , for there were but two Co-heirs of this Branch of Malmains , who were wedded to Monins and Gouldwell . And if it be answered that Dering married the Heir of the eldest House : To that I answer , that Nicholas Malmains , who was of the elder Line , deceased in the twentieth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 15. and left only a Daughter and Heir , who was matched to William de Grandison : so that it is evident by the Premises , that this Mannor of Malmains devolved to Dering the instant Proprietary , not by any match of Haut , or of this Family it self , by any Female Heir or Coheir of Malmains , but by Purchase only .

Shurland is the last place of Account : It hath been the Patrimony of Betenham of Betenham in Cranbroke , for many Hundred years . Stephen de Betenham is mentioned in Court-rols , which take their Rise or Date from the Government of Hen , the third : and certainly this is that Stephen de Betenham , which is mentioned to be one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae , ( an Office of very great Importance in elder Times ) in those Pipe-rols , which relate to the raign of King John ; and from this Stephen hath the Title of this place , by a constant and even Chain of Ages , threaded together into an unbroken Succession , come down to Mr. Betenham , who holds the present Signory and Possession of it .

Plumsted in the Hundred of Lesnes , was in the year of Grace 960. given by King Edgar , to the Abbot and Convent of St. Augustins in Canterbury ( as Thorne their Chronicler testifies ) under the Notion of four ploughed Lands , which afterwards Godwin Earl of Kent , violently tore from their Patrimony , and setled upon his Son Tostius : but it was restored to that Seminary by William the Conqueror , and remained fastned to their Revenue , until the rough hand of Henry the eighth , by a publick suppression unlinked it , and then it was by that Prince , in the thirty sixth year of his raign , granted to Sir Edward Boughton of Burwash-court , from whom it is now devolved by Descent to his Successor Mr. ...... Boughton .

The Abbot of St. Augustines , to adde more eminence to this Mannor , not only obtained a Charter of Free-warren to Plumsted , in the thirty sixth year of Henry the third ; but likewise by Grant procured a Market to be held here weekly on the Tuesday , and a Fair yearly three Dayes , at St. Nicolas , videlicet , the Eve , the Day , and Day after ; both which were allowed before the Judges Itinerant , in the seventh year of Edward the first .

Plumsted had anciently Laws and Ordinances for the better securing the Mounds and Banks of the Mersh , against the Eruptions and Inundations of the Thames , which almost were of the same Resemblance and Complexion with those of Romney Mersh . A Scale of several Statutes , are delivered to us by Rastall in his Abridgement , which concerned the Inning and preserving of Plumsted Level . The first was enacted in the twenty second year of Henry the eighth , Cap. 3. and was printed . The second was made in the fourteenth year of Queen Elizabeth , and was never printed . The third was ratified in the twenty third of Queen Elizabeth Cap. 13. and printed . The fourth and last was confirmed , in the twenty seventh year of Queen Elizabeth , Cap. 27. and likewise printed .

Burwash-court is an eminent Seat in this Parish ; made more illustrious by being wrapped up in the Revenue of the Noble Family of Burgherst or Burwash . Bartholomew de Burgherst died possest of it , in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 38. And left it to his Son Bartholomew Lord Burwash , who in the forty third year of the above-said Prince , coveyed it with much other Land to Sir Walter de Paveley , Knight of the Garter , in which Family it continued , until the raign of Richard the second , and then it was alienated to William Chichley , Alderman of London , who left it to his Son John Chichley , by whose Daughter and Heir Agnes , it came to be possest by John Tattershal of Well-hall in Eltham : who about the beginning of Henry the sixth , conveyed it to Boughton , in the Descendants of which Family , it had a permanent aboad , untill that Age that our Remembrance had an Aspect on , and then it was passed away to Mr. Rowland Wilson of London , and he upon his late Decease , gave it to his Daughter and her Heirs , who was first matched to Doctour ...... Crisp , and now secondly to Colonel ...... Row of Hackney .

R. R. R. R.

RAdigunds , vulgarly called the Abby of St. Radigunds , leads up the Van of this Register : It was founded by Hugh the first Abbot , who was before a Monk in the Priory of Christ-church , in the raign of King Stephen , as the Book of Christ-church , and the Return into the Court of Augmentation made in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , do both inform me . Their Rule was derived from Austin Bishop of Hippo , their Habit Black , whence they are sometimes styled Black-Canons , and sometimes Canons of St. Austins . The Revenue which appertained to this Cloister , lay not fat divided from this place , as namely at Alkham , Sotemore , Combe , Hawking , Padlesworth , and Pising , where they had a Mannor , as appears by an Inquisition , taken in the thirty fifth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 147. This upon the Dissolution lapsing with all its Revenue to the Crown , King Henry the eighth , exchanged Pising with Thomas Cranmer Arch-bishop of Canterbury ; but the Mannor of St. Radigunds it self , remained annexed to the Royal Revenue , until Queen Elizabeth in the thirty second year of her raign , granted it to Simon Edolph Esquire , descended from the Edolphs of Romney Mersh , where they were very ancient , in whose Successor , Sir ...... Edolph , the propriety of this place is still resident .

Raculver in the Hundred of Whitstaple , had a Monastery founded here , for Monks to live under the Rule of St. Bennet : But the Mannor it self was given with all its Train of Appendages , as namely , Pasture , Glebe , Mersh-land , and the adjacent Shore , and estimated at twenty five Mansions or Cottages , bis denis senisque estimatum Cassatis ( those are the words of the Record by King Eadredus , in the year nine hundred forty and eight ) to the Sea of Canterbury , in the presence of his Queen Edgiva , and Arch-bishop Odo : and if you will descry what Estimate it had in the Time of the Conqueror , Doomes-day Book will afford you a discovery . Raculf Tempore Edwardi Regis se defendebat pro VIII . Sullings , & est appretiatum XL. lb. & II. lb. V. s. tres Minutes ( that was a Coin I believe equivalent to our now English Pence ) minus .

Though the Church be now full of Solitude , and languished into Decay ; yet when Leland made his Perambulation , it was in a more splendid Equipage . If you please to hear him , he thus describes it ; The old Building of the Abby Church , continues ( says he ) having two goodly spiring Steeples . In the entring into the Quire , is one of the fairest and most ancient Crosses , that ever I saw , nine Foot in height , it standeth like a fair Columne . The Basis is a great stone , it is not wrought ; the second Stone , being round , hath curiously wrought and and painted the Images of our Saviour Christ , Peter , Paul , John and James ; Christ saith Ego sum Alpha & Omega ; Peter saith Tu es Christus Filius Dei vivi . The sayings of the other three , were painted , Majusculis Literis Romanis , but now obliterated . The second Stone is of the Passion , The third Stone contains the Twelve Apostles . The fourth hath the Image of our Saviour hanging and fastned with four Nails , & sub pedibus sustentaculum : The highest part of the Pillar hath the Figure of a Crosse . In the Church is a very ancient Book of the Evangelies , in Majusculis Literis Romanis , and in the Borders thereof is a Crystal Stone , thus inscribed , Claudia Atepiccus . In the North-side of the Church , is the Figure of a Bishop painted under an Arch ; In digging about the Church , they find old Buckles and Rings : The whole Print of the Monastery appears by the old Wall . And the Vicarage was made of the Ruines of the Monastery . There is a neglected Chappel out of the Church-yard , where some say was a Paroch-Church , before the Abby was suppressed , and given to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury . Thus far he .

But the greatest Honor which in elder Times did accrew to this Village , was , that King Ethelbert , after he had founded the Abby of St. Austins , removed his Residence from Canterbury , and fixed his Pallace at this place , which his Successors the Kings of Kent , enobled by their presence ; but when this Kingdome was swallowed up in that of Mercia , and Mercia afterwards in that of the West - Saxons ; Reculver had the Grant of a Market procured to it on the Thursday , by William Arch-B . of Canterbury , in the 7th . of Edw. the second . this Mansion of theirs found a Sepulcher likewise in their Ruines ; so that now we can trace it out no where , but in Annals and History , since even the very Ruines of the Ruines themselves , have now got an unknown enterment .

Helburgh is an ancient Seat in this Parish : The first that I find possest it , was Nicholas Tingewike , originally descended from Tingewick in the County of Buckingham , and who likewise held large possessions at Dartford , and he dyed seised of it , in the fourteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 182. After this Family deserted the possession , the Pines became its Proprietaries , of which Family was James de la Pine , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the twenty sixth , and twenty seventh years of Edward the third , and was in the possession of this place at his Decease , which was in the thirty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 13. And left it to his Son Thomas Pine , after whom I meet with another James Pine , who about the Beginning of Henry the fourth , passed it away to Cheyney , and in this Family did it reside , untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth ; and then the Lord Henry Cheyney , who then began to retail himself , and his estate out to Ruine in parcels , alienated this to Maycott , whose Son Sir Cavaliero Maycott , that eminent Courtier in the reign of Queen Elizabeth , and King James , in the entrance of that Prince into his Government , passed it away to Sir Christopher Clive ; and he immediately after , conveyed it away to Contry , vulgarly called Cuntry , whose Son Mr. Thomas Contry , almost in our memory , cast it by Sale into the possession of Sir Edward Masters of Canterbury , whose Son Richard Masters Esquire , is entituled to the instant possession of it .

Reinham in the Hundred of Milton , with Mere-court was , in the reign of H. the first , the patrimony of the noble Family of Camville . Robert de Camville , was engaged with Richard the first , at the Siege of Acon in Palestine . Robert de Camville his Son , Rot. pipae : de An. 41. Hen. 3. was an Assistant to Henry the third , in the forty second of his Rule , when he marched from Chester against the Welsh . Geffrey de Camville was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the reign of Edward the first . After this Family was worn out , the noble Family of Leybourn of Leybourn Castle , was entituled to the Inheritance . Henry de Leybourn , held it in the twenty eighth year of Edward the first , and so did Thomas de Leybourn , in the thirty fifth year of that Prince's Government , Rot. Esc . Num. 10. And so did his Brother likewise , William de Leybourn , who held the greatest part of it at his Death , which was in the third year of Edward the second ; and transmitted it to his Kinsman Roger de Leybourn , in whom the Male-line determined , and he left it in Dower to his Wife Juliana de Leybourn , who held it at her Death , which was in the third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 86. And after her Decease , it was enstated on his and her Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourn , who for her vast Income , merited the Title of Infanta of Kent ; and she married for her first Husband Iohn de Hasting , a Kinsman of Laurence de Hasting : but he dyed without any Issue by her , upon whose Exit , she was espoused to William de Clinton , Earl of Huntingdon , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , who likewise deceased without any posterity by her , in the twenty eighth year of Edward the third ; after whose Decease she continued a Widow untill her Death , which was in the forty third year of the above-mentioned Prince , Rot. Ese . Num. 57. And is styled in the Escheat-roll Comitissa de Huntington , which fortifies the former Assertion , that she continued in the State of Widowhood , till her dissolution ; upon whose decease , the Crown upon an exact and solemne Inquisition , discovering none that could inforce any Claim either directly and lineally , or else by collateral deduction , entitled it self to her estate , as legally escheated : and that Prince , in the fiftieth year of his reign , grants it to the Abbey of St. Mary Grace on Tower-hill ; where it was fixt , until it was by the Suppression , wrested away , and then K. Edward the sixth , in the second year of his reign , granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , and one of the Privy Councel to that Prince : whose Son Henry Lord Cheyney , in the thirteenth year of Q. Elizabeth , passed it away by Sale to Samuel Thornhil Esquire , who upon his decease , gave it by Testament to his second Son Sir Iohn Thornhil not many years deceased , whose eldest Son Charles Thornhill Esquire , is the present Heir to the propriety of it .

Silham is a second place considerable . It was the Mansion formerly of a Family of no despicable extraction , whose Sirname was Donett : John Donett dyed possest of this and part of the Mannor of Reinham , in the thirtieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 57. And left them to his Son Iohn Donett , who likewise was in the possession of them at his Death , which was in the thirty sixth year of the above-named Prince ; and had Issue Iohn Donett , in whom the Male-line failed , so that his Lands at Reinham , and Silham , devolved by Margery his Sole Daughter and Heir , to Iohn St. Leger Esquire , Sheriff of Kent in the ninth year of Henry the fourth , and was descended from Hugh St. Leger , who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae , ( an Office of a very great Latitude and Circumference of power in elder Times ) in the second and seventh years of King Iohn . In the St. Legers , the possession of these places rested not long ; for not long after that Interest which he had in Reinham , to Cheyney , and Silham to Bloer ; Cheyney transmitted his Concernment , with that part of Reinham that related to the Priory of Leeds , to Sámuel Thornhill Esquire , who disposed of it upon his death , as is abovesaid : but Christopher Bloer , determined in Olympia Bloer , his Heir General , who brought it over to Mr. Iohn Tufton , in the reign of Henry the eighth ; from whom it is now come down , to the right honorable Iohn Tufton Earl of Thanett , who possesses the present Signory of it .

Reyersh in the Hundred of Lerkefield , though a Village of no great Account in it self , Carews Court in Reyersh was for many descents the Inheritance of a Family of that Sirname , and remained locked up in their Demeasn until the twelfth year of H. the sixth ; and then Nich. Carew , demises it by Deed to Tho. Watton , who upon his Decease setled it on his Nephew Will . Watton ; and from him the Thread of many descents hath guided the Title down to the instant Proprietary Mr. Will . Watton of Addington . yet is disengaged of its original Obscurity , by the splendor and eminence of those who successively possest it . The first whom I find concerned in it , was Hugh de Crescie , originally , in all probability , extracted from Crescie who is mentioned in the Battle Abby-roll ; and he dyed seised of it , in the forty seventh year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 42. After this Family was mouldered away , the Says of Coldham were interessed in the possession , and Geffrey de Say possest it in the fifteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 20. The next Family in Succession to these was the Mowbrays , and Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Duke of Norfolk , and Daughter of Richard Earl of Arundell , held it at her Decease , which was in the third year of Henry the sixth , Rot. Esc . Num. 25. And so did her Son John Mowbray Duke of Norfolke , who deceased in the eleventh year of Henry the sixth , Rot. Esc . Num. 129. And was descended from John Mowbray , who held it ( as appears by ancient Court-rolls ( as parcel of the Barony of Bedford ) in the reign of Edward the second . After the Mowbrays , the Nevill , Barons of Aburgavenny , were invested in the Fee , and remained seated in the possession , until the reign of Q Elizabeth , and then Henry Lord Nevill , in the twenty ninth year dying without Issue-male , it was disposed with much other Land to his Brother Sir Edward Nevill , from whom it is now brought down to his Grandchild John Lord Nevill , who enjoys the instant Inheritance of it .

Ridley in the Hundred of Acstane , acknowledges it self to have been anciently a Branch of the patrimony of the Lords Leybourn : and Rog. de Leybourn , in the 55 th . year of H. the third , sells Ridley excepting the Advowson , to Bartholomew Wodeton . In which Family the Title was not very permanent ; for in the reign of Edward the third , I find the Wallis's to have been its Proprietaries ; Augustin Wallis obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Ridley in the twenty second year of Edward the third , and dyed possest of it , in the twenty eighth year of that Prince's Government , Rot. Esc . Num. 55. After the Wallis's were expired and vanished , the Rickhills held this Mannor , where it was not long constant ; for William Rickhill about the sixteenth of Henry the sixth , conveyed it by Deed to Tho. Edingham or Engham ; who again in the ninteenth year of the abovesaid Prince , passed it away by Fine to Robert Savery ; from which Name not many years after , it came by the same Vicissitude , to be the Inheritance of Bevill , in whose Descendants it remained , untill the Beginning of Henry the eighth , and then it was by purchase fastned to the demeasn of Fitz : and Walter Fitz by Deed , whose dare commences from the twenty seventh of Henry the eighth , conveyed it to Will . Sidley of Southfleet Esq ; Ancestor to Sir Charles Sidley Baronet , to whom upon the late Decease of his Brother Sir William Sidley , it owns for its present Possessor .

Ridlingswould is a Member of Dover , Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer obtained the Grant of a Market to Ridling swould and a three Dayes Fair at St. Nicolas , in the ninth of Edward the 2. as appears , Pat. 9. Ed. 2. N. 57. and was parcel of the Honor of Fulberts , and Fulbert de Dover held it , as appears by Doomes-day Book , in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror , in Ages of a nearer Approach to us , that is , in the raign of Henry the third . Richard de Dover , and Roesia his Wife were possest of it , as appears , Ex Bundellis Annor . incertorum Henrici tertii , Rot. Esc . Num. 237. When this Family went out , the Badelesmeres stept in . Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , that powerful Baron , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands here , in the ninth year of Edward the second , and was Steward too , to the Houshold of King Edward the second , as appears by a Confirmation of the Charter of the City of London , which bears Date from that year of Edward the second , and to which he as Teste writes himself Steward of the Kings Houshold ; but not long after being entangled in that Combination , which was made by Thomas Earl of Lancaster , and sundry other Barons against that Prince , he forfeited both his Estate and Life , as the price of that seditious Attempt ; but this with much other Land was restored to his Son Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , in the second year of Edward the third , but he died without Issue , in the twelfth year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 44. So that his large Revenue was proportionably divided between his four Sisters and Co-heirs , whereof this was a Limb , and fell in upon the partition to the Inheritance of John Vere Earl of Oxford by Matilda de Badelesmer , and he held it at his Death , which was in the fortieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 38. But in this Family it did not long continue after his Exit ; for in the raign of Richard the second , I find Robert Belknap possest of it , and enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the second year of Henry the fourth , after his Return from his Exilement into Ireland , whither he was banished for his too active asserting the Prerogative against the Liberty of the Populacie , in the tenth year of Richard the second . In the second year of Richard the third , I find William Belknap Esquire , was in the Fruition of it at his Decease , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. and from him did it devolve to his Successor Sir Henry Belknap , in whom this Name was extinguisht , so that his Estate was resolved into several parcels , which came over to Alice his Daughter and Co-heir matched to Sir William Shelley , Anne married to Sir Robert Wotton , and Elizabeth wedded to Sir Philip Cooke of Giddie-hall in Essex , and in these Families did the complicated Interest of this place remain concentered , until that Age , which fell under our Grand-fathers Cognisance , and then it was by joint-Concurrence passed away to Edelph , from whom it is brought down to Sir ...... Edolph , who holds the present Signory of it .

Oxney-house in this Parish , was an Ancient Seat of the Noble Family of Criol . Matilda Widow of Simon de Criol died possest of it , in the fifty second year of Henry the third , and transmitted it to Bertram de Criol , who held it at his death , which was in the twenty third year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. After him his Son Bertram de Criol was setled in the possession , but was not long liv'd after his Father , for he died in the thirty fourth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 37. and left it to his Brother John Criol , who dying without Issue , it was brought over to his Sister Joan Criol , who by matching with Sir Richard de Rokesley , made it the Inheritance of that Name and Family , and was in possession of it at her Death , which was in the fifteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 95. From whom it came down to Thomas Lord Poynings , who had espoused Agnes one of the Coheirs of them two , and in Right of this Alliance was his Successor , Richard Lord Poyning found invested in it at his Death , which was in the fifteenth year of Richard the second , Parte prima , Rot. Esc . Num. 53. and left it to his Kinsman Robert de Poynings , who passed it away by Sale to Tame , and in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , Robert Tame paid respective Aid for it , at the Marriage of Blanch that Kings Daughter . After Tame was worn out , the Sidleys possest it , and John Sidley Esquire , who was Auditor to Henry the seventh , added much to this House , as well as to his Estate , and from him is it now descended to Sir Charles Sidley Baronet , whom it owns for present Lord of the Fee .

Ripple in the Hundred of Cornile , was a Mannor which alwayes related to the Abby of St. Austins , and was , in the Surrender of this Abby into the Hands of Henry eighth , in the twenty ninth year of that Prince , found to be involved in the Demeasne of that Covent , from whom it went over to the Crown , and remained there until Queen Elizabeth , in the thirty second year of her Government , passed it away to Sir John Hall , who not long after alienated his Interest here to Gokin , in which Family the Propriety hath ever since continued . But Watling was originally of secular Concernment , and was wound up in the Patrimony of the Lord Leybourn . Thomas de Leybourn enjoyed it at his Decease , which was in the thirty fifth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 10. From whom it went along with the Residue of his Estate to his Son Sir Roger de Leybourn , with whom the Male-Line sunk into his Sepulcher , and Juliana de Leybourn was his Sole Heir , and she was first matched to Iohn de Hastings , and afterwards to William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , but had no Issue by neither , nor was there any which could , by a Claim of collateral Affinity , stave off the Claim and pretences of the Crown unto her Estate ; so that , upon her Decease , which was in the forty third year of Edward the third , that Prince seised upon her Inheritance as an Escheat , and his Granchild Richard the second , granted this to the Abby of Chidrens Langley , upon whose suppression it devolved with all its perquisites to the Crown ; and Henry the eighth , granted it in the thirty fifth year of his raign to Sir Thomas Moile , one of the Justices at that Time of this County , from whom by Amy his Daughter and Coheir , it was cemented into the Patrimony of Sir Thomas Kempe : but it was not long after unsodered , for in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth it was sold to William Sherley of Sussex , who in our Grand-fathers Remembrance alienated it to Crayford of Mongeham , whose Successor ( not without an eager contest commenced with one Durbon and Kidder , by his Predecessor , who pretended an Interest in it , conveyed to them by an antecedent Judgement , acknowledged by the above-said Shirley ) is now setled in the Possession of it .

River in the Hundred of Bewsborough , contains two remarkable places within the Boundaries of it . The first is Kersoney , which was the Inheritance of a Family called Paganell , or more vulgarly Paynell . Isolda Wife of John Paynell , held it at her Death , which was in the seventeenth year of Edward the second . In Times of a lower Descent , I find it in the Tenure of Phineux , the last of which Name at this Place was Sir John Phineux , Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , in the raign of Henry the seventh , and he determining in Daughters and Co-heirs , Jane one of them , by matching with John Roper of St. Dunstans Esquire , made it the Patrimony of that Family , from whom in our Grand-fathers Remembrance , it was passed away to Best , Ancestor to Mr. ...... Best of Canterbury Esquire , who is the instant Proprietary of it . The second is Archers-Court , which gave both Seat and Sirname to a Family so called ; one Nicolas Archer held it in the first year of Edward the second , and so did Thomas le Archer , in the third year of Edward the third , and left it to his Son William Archer , who paid respective Aide for his Lands here at River , and at Atterton , and Coperland , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight . From Archer it came to a Family called Baudrede , and continued divers years in this Name , until in the first year of Edward the fourth , it was conveyed by Sale with Coperland to Thomas Doilie Esquire . Afterwards , in the raign of Henry the eighth , it was exchanged with the Crown , and that Prince , in the thirty sixth year of his managing the English Scepter , granted it to Sir James Hales , in whose Family it remained until almost that Time , which we entitle to our Fathers Remembrance , and then a part of it was passed away by Sale to Lee , but the other parcel continued constant to the Interest of Hales , until not many years since , not only that proportion , which was in the possession of Lee , but likewise that other above-mentioned , were both alienated by their respective Proprietaries to Sir Hardres Waller .

Rodmersham in the Hundred of Milton , was the Inheritance of a Family , whose Sirname was Pine : John de la Pine enjoyed it , in the twentieth year of Henry the third , as appears by private Evidences , and so did James de la Pine his Grandchild , who deceased in the thirty seventh year of Edward the third , and left it to his Son and Heir James de la Pine , a Child of nine years old , at his Fathers Exit ; and he preserved it untill the latter end of Richard the second , and then it was transmitted by Sale to Podach , now called vulgarly Pordage , descended originally from John de Podach , who flourished as appears by an ancient Pedigree , relating to this Family , in the raign of Henry the third , and held Lands in the County of Devon , which bore his Name , and was called Podach ; and from this above-mentioned Iohn , is Mr. Tho. Pordage aliàs Podach , now of Rodmersham , by a multiplyed Efflux of many Descents lineally extracted , and bears now the Fesse in his Coat Armour , plain , whereas by ancient Monuments , and Seals affixed to old Evidences it is manifest , his Ancestors bore it Checque . Upon what Grounds , the modern Alteration is establisht , I confesse I know not ; it is enough , that the Dignity of the Family , is yet supported , by that ancient Inheritance , which they have for so many Ages , and yet do possesse , here at Rodmersham .

Pitstock in Rodmersham , is a little Mannor , which augmented the Revenue of the Nuns of Minster in Shepey , but when that ruinous Tempest broke forth in the raign of Henry the eighth , which like an Hurricano tore up by the Roots the Ecclesiastical Patrimony , this was supplanted and thrown into the Demeasne of the Crown , and then the abovesaid Prince , in the twenty ninth year of his Rule , granted it to Sir Thomas Cheyney , and his Son Henry Lord Cheyney , about the thirteenth year of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to Samuel Thornhill Esquire , who upon his Decease , gave it to his second Son Sir Iohn Thornhill , from whom by descendant Right , it is now come over to his Son and Heir Charles Thornhill Esquire .

Newburgh is partly situated in Rodmersham , and partly in Lingsted , and anciently had the Estimate of a Mannor , and gave Name to a Family that was represented to the World , under that Notion , as appears , by very old Deeds without Date , in the Hands of Mr. Bartholomew May , too tedious here to recite . In the twenty fourth year of Edward the first , Isabell , Wife of Henry de Apulderfield , held it at her Death , and in the Copy of the Inquisition Roll , it is called Manerium de Newburgh : but in Ages of a more modern Complexion , it fell from its former Reputation , and by Disuse shrunk into Neglect and Contempt , and is now only eminent , in that it was involved in that Estate , that by Elizabeth Coheir of Sir William Apulderfield devolved to Sir John Phineux , who finding his Sepulcher in Female Coheirs , Jane one of them , brought it over to her Husband John Roper Esquire , and from him by paternal Efflux , is the Title now wafted along , to the right honorable Christopher Roper , Baron of Tenham , removed by no wide Distance from this place .

St. Johns is the last Mannor in Rodmersham , to be taken Notice of ; though the First in its Degree of Eminence because it was a principal place belonging to the Knights Hospitallers . An Order that was established and instituted by Gerardus , but fenced in , and empaled with New Orders and Rules , by Raimundus a Podio , lest , debauched and softned by secular Interest , in Decursion of Time , they might have sallied out into some Disorder and Excesse . At their first Installment , they were to be eighteen years of Age , at least , and none who were without the Verge of that Time , were capable of this Order : they were to be neither of Jewish nor Turkish Extraction , lest they might seem tacitly to wrap up those principles in their Blood , which by their Vow , they were engaged to destroy . Their Pedigree or Genealogie , was to be wholly Christian , and that of no coorse , but of a more refined Temperament ; for their Birth or Parentage was to be noble , and that not to be sullied with the impure Tincture of Bastardy . Yet even this Restriction had a gentler sense quilted into it , for if they were the Natural Sons of Princes , their Birth was enobled , and the Rigor of the Rule , was by so eminent a Descent softned and allayed , and they made capable of this Order . Then they were by a general Obligation , to defend the Sepulchre of Christ , to protect Pilgrims , against the Eruptions of Infidels , in their visits made to the Holy Land , to foment no Clandestine Animosities , by engaging in private Duells amongst themselves , which were blasted with the Black Character of Illegality ; and if the Princes of Christedome were entangled in intestine Dissentions amongst themselves , they were to shroud themselves , under an impartial Neutrality , lest they might destroy that Christianity , which by Oath they were obliged to assert , if they should embark in any impious Sidings , or partial Combinations . Lastly , they were abstracted by their Vow of Poverty , Chastity and Obedience , from all secular Employments , or Negotiations , lest the Fumes of Temporal Interest might cloud their Eyes , in their prospect towards the Sepulchre ; in order to which , they were not to exercise any Mercantile Affairs , or the Designs of Usury ; they were , if possible , to receive the Sacrament thrice every year , and if not interrupted to hear Masse once a day . I have now done with the Ingredients which made up their Vow , I shall now come to the form of their Installment .

As for the Method of their Investiture , it was cast into this Mould . They had a Sword delivered to them , intimating they should fight with Magnanimity ; and this was guarded with a Crosse Hilt , to declare that they were in all Encounters to vindicate and maintain the Crosse and Sepulchre of our Saviour . Then they were struck thrice over the Shoulders with that Sword they were invested with , to insinuate , that they should sustain all Contumelies and Indignities , for the Cause and Defence of Christian Religion . Then fourthly , this Sword was wiped , to instruct them that their Lives were to be assoiled from the Spot of all open and scandalous Impieties . Fifthly , they had guilt Spurs placed upon their Heels , to shew first , that all temporal Improvement of Wealth , was to be cast behind the Designs of Piety and Religion ; or secondly , to demonstrate , that Riches were but the Glosse , or Parjet , but Honor and Vertue , was the Solid Body , designed by the Spur it self , that was to support and sustain it . Sixthly , they had a lighted Taper put into their Hands , by that , to discover , that by an eminent Integritie and exemplar Piety , like the Irradiation of that Luminary , they were to make themselves conspicuous to those who were involved in the Mists and Umbrages of a dark and gloomy Infidelity . Lastly , after these Formalities performed , they were obliged to repair to Masse , where I leave them .

Their Customary Habit was a black Cloak , being the best Ensigne , or Symptome of a solemne external Sorrow , and on this was a Crosse potent between four Crosses Patee , designing the five wounds of our Saviour ; they wore constantly when they appeared in publique , a red Belt , intimating they were at all times ready to bleed , in Defence of the Crosse and Sepulcher , and on that was fixed a white Crosse , to manifest the Purity and Innocence of that Cause and Religion which was contended for .

This Order was first brought into England , in the year of Grace 1100 , by Jordan de Briset , in some old Deeds written Brinset , Lord of Well-hall at Eltham in Kent , and Muriell his Wife , who founded a House for them at Clerkenwell , and dedicated it to St. John , which afterwards became the Head of their Alberge here in England , to which this Mannor continued united , as parcell of their Demeasne , untill the Dissolution in the Reign of Henry the eighth , like a general Deluge , swept it away , and transported it into the Revenue of the Crown , and that Prince by Royal Concession , made it the Estate of William Pordage Esquire , in whose Descendant , Thomas Pordage Esquire , the present Inheritance of it remains at this instant placed .

Rochester is a City which in elder Times , was as eminent for its Antiquity , as it was for its Strength and Grandeur ; and had not those violent Impressions , which the rough hand of War formerly defaced it with , demolished its Bulke , and discomposed its Beauty , it peradventure might have been registred at this day in the Inventory of the principal Cities of this Nation . It was governed by a Port Reve , until King Edw. the fourth , in the second year of his Reign , raised it into a higher Dignity , and decreed by his royal Grant , that it should thenceforth be governed by a Maior and twelve Aldermen , and to this Monarch does this City owe much of its present Felicity , a Prince certainly he was , full of Complacence and Benignity , of a munificent Mind , and an obliging accostable Nature , guilty onely of some humane Frailties , common to all , and adorned with many signal Virtues , scarce resident in any one , who did not voluntarily sail into that Sea of Blood , which was let loose in the Civil War , commenced between Him , and the Partisans of the House of Lancaster , but rather was driven into it , by the Tempest of his ill Fortune .

Having represented the City in its Modern Face or Aspect , I shall now draw the Curtain something wider , and discover its Pourtracture in its calamitous Sufferings , occasioned by the Invasions , not only of an entaged Enemy , but likewise , which is worse , by the Onsets of its own incensed Prince ; and these two mixing together have much disordered the Ancient Glory and Splendor of it .

In the year 680. Eldred King of Mercia harrassed Kent , and by an impetuous Inroad laid it wast . And as particular Lamentations are not distinguishable in universal Groans ; so in this publick Depopulation of the County ( then Kingdome , ) the Tragedy and Devastation acted by that Prince , at that Time , upon this City , was not resented with that Regret , as so deplorable Ruine might seem to exact , which had it been singly poured out upon this City , it could not have been repeated or rehearsed without a bleeding Heart , and a weeping Eye .

In the year 986. King Etheldred infested Rochester with a Siege , having entertained some discontent or disgust against the Bishop , and would not dissolve his Leaguer , until the said Bishop had expiated his Offence with the Sacrifice of an hundred pounds , a Sum of importance in those dry Times , though inconsiderable in these profuser ones of ours , where commonly the pecuniary Supply , that is extracted from the Subject , is steeped in his Tears .

In the year 999. the Danes invaded Canterbury , and though by the vigorous Resistance and Magnanimity of the Defendants , their Assaults were made null , yet at length by the treacherous Combination of an insidious Party within , it was rather betrayed then subdued , and miserably depopulated by the Barbarous Adversary , the Signatures of which Devastation are yet visible : and though the wideness of the Orifice , which that wound had made , be something closed up with the Hand of Time , yet there is a huge Scar left , to represent to Posterity the Greatness of the former Ruine . After they had thus harrassed and defaced that City , they ( to improve ●heir Victory ) advanced to Rochester , where the Inhabitants astonished with an Example of so much Terror , after some faint Opposition against the Danish Impressions and Onsets , gave themselves up to Flight , and this City to a Calamitous Depopulation .

In the year 1130. Henry the first , with the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , were present at the Consecration of St. Andrews Church in Rochester , which was then brought to perfection , having been before much empaired by the Iron Teeth of Time : But then the Fury of the Elements began to enter into a Corrivalship or Competition with the Fury of Enemies ; for by a casual Eruption of an Accidental Fire , the whole City almost found an infortunate Sepulchre in its own Ashes : But it seems like a Phaenix , it rose again into new Beauty and Order out of these Ashes and Embers , but did not long continue in this Condition ; for in the year of Grace 1177. which was in the Time of Henry the second , it was again assaulted by the Outrage and Fury of this implacable Element , the Impressions and remaining Signatures of which Conflagration , are obvious to the Inspection of an Inquisitive Eye , even until this Day .

In the year 1225. it was by the Indulgent Bounty of King Henry the third , invested with a Wall , and that this Fortification might be of more Concernment , it was likewise secured or fenced with a Ditch .

In the year 1251. A Solemn Tornament was held at Rochester , wherein the English entered the Lists against those Strangers or Forrainers , ( who having in that Age a great Concernment in the Eare of Henry the third , had likewise a strong Interest in his Heart , and by consequence a powerful Impression or Influence upon the publick Affairs of those Times ) wherein they managed the Honor of this Nation , with so much Courage and Gallantry , that they forced them with Shame and Confusion to retire into the City , and as if that were not a Shelter of sufficient Importance , to seek for their Security in the Castle .

The Castle .

THat there was in the Age before the Norman Invasion , the Rudiments , or , if I may so say , the Embrio of a Castle represented to the World under imperfect Lineaments or Dimensions , here at Rochester , is most certain ; For the Records of the Cathedral inform us , that Egbert King of Kent , in the year 763. gave certain Lands to Eardulfe , Bishop of Rochester , situate within the Wals of the Castle of that City , which argues that there was some Trench or Fortification , even in those Times , which was in Strength by the Analogy of Proportion equivalent to the Fortresses of that Age , and so might merit by Resemblance the Name of a Castle , though the Bulk and Grandeur of it was added in Times of a more Modern extraction : For in the Time of the Conquest , I find that the Bishop of Rochester received Land at Alresford for Land at Rochester proportionate to it to erect a Castle on , which was in all probability , onely to enlarge the Boundaries of the old one , which peradventure was thought too contemptible in those active Times , to secure so important a Pass , as this of Rochester , was , without the Additional Supply of some new Strength . And that these Augmentations did acknowledge , if not for their Founder or Author , yet at least for their eminent Benefactor , Odo Bishop of Bajeux , and Earl of Kent , half Brother to the Conqueror , is without Controversie ; a man who was afterwards dignified and adorned with the Office of Lord Chief Justice of England , a place of the most eminent Trust in that Age , and which was often managed by the Kings of England personally themselves , and from the Marble Seat in Westminster-hall , did deliver their Decisions and Determinations of Law , from whence in Ancient Seals and other Sculptures , they are often represented to us sitting in Judicature upon this Marble Seat , and hence result those Customary Expressions in Original Writs , and other Processes , Coram Nobis , and , Teste Rege , and sometimes , me Ipso apud Westmon . and some other Phrases and Tearms in our Ancient Law-books of the same Complexion , as namely such a one , Allocutus est Nobis sedentibus supra Sedem Marmoream : which justifies that the Kings of England did sometimes personally sit and assist in Judicature , in that Court we now call the Upper Bench , where like a great Orb or Glob of Light , they dispersed their Beams of Mercy and Justice into all the parts of our English Horizon , and dispelled all those Crievances , which , like so many Fogs or Clouds exhaled from corrupred Nature , seemed to eclipse the Serenity of this Nation . But I wander too much ; I now return . This Accumulation of Offices and Dignities , could not so ingage this above-mentioned Odo , to the Interest of William Rufus his Nephew ; but that he first enwrapped himself in a Combination with some of the discontented Nobility , whose Endeavors were to ravish the Scepter out of the Hand of that Prince , and place it in the hand of Robert Duke of Normandy , his eldest Brother , and afterwards to fortifie this Design , started out into an open Defection and seised upon this Castle of Rochester : but William Rufus with so much Expedition and Courage crushed these Attempts , that they became abortive : for in the year 1088. he besieges his Uncle Odo in this Fortress , and presses upon him with so much Vigor and Animosity , that he forces him to surrender to discretion , but though he took not away his Life , he did that of his Liberty , and sent him Prisoner to Tunbridge-castle , not under the Notion of Bishop of Bajeux ; for that would have infringed and invaded the Franchises of the Church , but under that of the Earl of Kent .

After this there was by the mediation and umpirage of Robert Fitz Hamon , and Henry Earl of Warwick , a Composition made between William Rufus and Gundulphus Bishop of Rochester , the Result of which was this : The Prince was to confirm the Mannor of Hedenham to this Sea , and the Bishop , to ballance this Concession with something which had the Face of Retribution , was to expend sixty pound , in some additions to the Castle , and accordingly erected the great square Tower , a Morsel which hath been too hard for the Teeth of Time , and by the vastness of the instant remaining Skeleton , witnesses the strength of it to Posterity , when it was in its primitive Grandeur , before the Rage of War , and the Fury of Elements threw it into this wild Disorder and Confusion ; yet it is even in this shattered Condition , a better Alphabet to the Memory of the Bishop its first Founder , then his own Monument or Repository , for that lies entered in forgotten and neglected Ruines , but this still preserves his Name , and is called Gundulphus's Tower .

And being thus improved and fortified , with these new Accessions , it is not to be wondered at , that this Piece , was of that signal Estimate , in elder Times , that King Henry the first , by the Advice of his Councel , in the year 1126 , granted the Custody of this Castle , and the Office of Castellan , annexed to it , to William the then present Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and his Successors , with free liberty to erect a Tower , that is another Fortresse , equivalent or Correspondent to Gundulphs Tower , which before was erected for the Defence of this City and Castle .

In Times succeeding to these , that is , in the year 1215 , William de Albineto or Albiniaco , in the Latine of those Times , and written D' Albinet , in the Usage of ours , was Governour of this Fortresse , for the factious party of the mutinous Barons , who were then in actual Arms against King John , but this Prince invested it with a formal Leaguer , and after the bloody Debate of a three Moneths Siege , forces the above-mentioned D' Albinet to a Surrender , wherein though the Virtue of the Opponent , was considerable , yet it was ruinous to him , and the Event hath left us Faith enough to believe , that Strength without the Concurrence of a Loyal Principle which may support it , is like an Egyptian Reed , which ordinarily runs into the Fingers , and wounds them which lean upon it .

In the year after this , the Nobility , then combined and in Arms against King John , finding that their Forces were much empaired and diminished by severall unsuccesful Encounters with that Prince , and that they must be forced to resign themselves up to those rigorous Conditions that he would impose upon them , called in Lewis the Dolphin of France , who landing in the Isle of Thanett , with a considerable Army , advanced to Rochester , and by the concurrent Assistance of the Barons , who had united their strength with his , made such a furious Onset upon this Castle , that like a Tempest which bears down all before it , he carried it by Assault .

In the year 1264. broke out that fatal Contest between Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester , and Henry the third , the Foundation or Original of which was this . That Earl being the great Assertor of the English Liberty against the turbulent Eruptions of Forrainers , endeavoured to tear away those Strangers , that being placed too near the Royal Throne , had obstructed and forelaid all the Avenues and Passages both to the Heart and Eare of that Prince : and this dismal clashing ( like the Collision of two Flints ) was productive of so wasting and destructive a Fire , that it had like , not only to have consumed the Crown and Scepter , but likewise to have cast the whole Kingdome it self into a heap of Flame and Ruines , some Sparks of which were darted hither . For this Earl about the Time above specified begirt the City and Castle of Rochester , with a powerful Army , and that he might multiply all Advantages to himself , which might inforce his Design , and intercept the Succour intended the Besieged , he burned the Bridge , whose Frame was then made up of Wood , and destroyed a Fortress that was placed upon it , which was compounded of the same Materials , and having effected this , he pressed so hard upon the Castle , that he not only pillaged the adjacent Church and Abby , but likewise subdued the outward Ward or Gate , and had certainly by an absolute Conquest at chieved the whole , had not King Henry arrived most opportunely , and by a succesful encounter wrested both Earl Warren , who had so vigorously maintained it , and that likewise , from the Impressions of his Fury .

After this , I find little of Moment to have been acted at this place , only I find the Castle to have been deposited in the Hands of several eminent Persons , who were extracted from Families , whose Blood was of as noble a Tincture as any in this County , and these held it under the Notion of Castellani or Guardians of it , an Office of a very important Concernment in elder Times . The first of which , who was entrusted with it , was William St. Clere , whose Ancient Seat , before his Successor by the Match of the Coheir of Aldham removed to Ightam , was at Woodland in Kingsdown , and he died in the Tenure of this place , in the forty eighth year of Henry the third . After him , I discover Robert de Hougham Lord of Hougham by Dover , to have had the Custody of it , and he died invested in this Office , in the second year of Edward the first , and in the next year after Robert de Septuans , from whom the Harfleets of East-Kent are descended , had the Care and Command of it . In Times of a nearer Approach to us , I find William Keriel or Criol , was entrusted with the Care and Government of it , and was possest of this Charge at his Death , in the first year of Henry the fifth . After whose Exit , the Custody was committed to Thomas Lord Cobham , and he held it at his Decease , which was in the eleventh year of Edward the fourth . But after this , it began so to languish away into its own Ruines , that it grew rather an Object of Pity , than of Envy , and rested amongst the Mannors of the Crown , untill King James , in the seventh year of his Reign , granted that goodly Skeleton of the Castle , which yet courts the Eye of the Beholder , to an Admiration of its former Strength , with all the Services annexed to it , to Sir Anthony Weldon , of Swanscamp , whose Son and Heir Ralph Weldon of Swanscamp Esquire , is the instant Lord of the Fee .

There is much Land in this County held of this Castle , whose Tenure is perfect Castleguard : for upon the Day prefixed for the discharge of the quitt-Rent , relating to it , there is a Banner displaid and hung out ( anciently it was over the Castle-Wall ) and all those who are Tenants to this Mannor , and are in Default by their non-Appearance , and do not discharge their Customary Duties , and Services , the Penaltie imposed upon their Neglect , is , that the Return of every Tide of the adjacent River which finds them Absent , doubles their Service or quitt-Rent .

The Bridge which is almost contiguous to the Root or Basis , was anciently , when the Frame was of Timber , removed to a farther Distance , and crossed the Stream , over against the Hospital of St Maries , at Stroude . But this was by Simon de Montfort when he besieged Rochester , ruined by Fire , and although it was re-edified and repaired not long after , yet some twenty years subsequent to this Misfortune , it was swept away by Ice , so that it appears the Elements entered into a Corrivalship or Competition , which should make the most ruinous Impression , on this infortunate Structure .

But after this , that is , in the raign of Richard the second , all those above-mentioned Dysasters and Inconveniences , which might again have assaulted the Bridge , were for the future prevented ; for Sir Robert Knolles , a Person who had improved , and enhaunsed his Fame , to the highest Degree of Eminence , by his glorious and succesfull Managery of the English Affairs , and Interest in France , seeking to make himself as usefull to his Friends , that is , his Contrymen , as he was before considerable to his Enemies , mastered the Course of the River , and somewhat nearer to the Castle as in a place more fit , both for the Soliditie , and fastnesse of the Soile , as likewise for the breaking of the impetuousnesse of the Current , erected the Bridge of Stone which is now visible , fixed , and established on one and twenty Arches , and by this Victory over the Elements , made his Triumphs more illustrious , than he had done before , by all the Conquests of his Adversaries : for in these he only seemed to have out-gone all others , but in this , to have outdone himself .

Being thus fixed and Strengthned , there was a Statute enacted in the one and twentieth year of Richard the second , wherein there is Provision made for its future Security , there being several parcells of Land , which are mentioned in that Act , tied and obliged for its continual Maintenance and Repair , whensoever the Injuries of Time , or those of the Elements , should deface or impair it .

The Chappel or Chantry in old Records , styled the Chantry of Rochester Bridge , was founded in the year 1399 , by Iohn de Cobham , and was dedicated to the holy Trinity , and was called at the first Institution , All Souls Chappel , because Prayers and other Orizons , were there to be offered up , for the Redemption and Health of all Christian Souls , and likewise a Stipend or Exhibition was there setled , for the Support and Maintenance of three Priests , or Chaplains , particularly , to pray for the Souls of John de Cobham the Patron and Founder , Sir Robert Knolles , to whom the Bridge owed its primitive Establishment , William Wangford and Eleanor his Wife , Iohn Fremingham and Alice his Wife , William Makenade , and Sir William Rickhil ; and likewise for the Souls of some who were deceased before the Foundation of this Chappel , as namely for the Soul of Iohn Buckingham , formerly Bishop of Lincoln , and Sir William Wall worth , the eminent Lord Maior of London , to whose Virtue and Valour , London , owes the Addition of the Dagger , which was annexed as an Augmentation to the Arms of the City .

The Priory was founded by Ethelbert King of Kent , and dedicated to the Honor of St. Andrew , and stored with Monks who were to live under the Rule of St. Benedict , though afterwards , as Mr. Lambert out of the Book of Rochester observes , they altered their Rule , and conformed themselves to the Canon of St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo , but were reduced again to the primitive Institution of St. Benedict , in the year 1080 , by Gundulphus then Bishop of Rochester , in which Design , he was aided and supported by Lanfranc the active Arch-bishop of Canterbury . In Ages of an elder Inscription , there were several Contests brake forth between the Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury , and those of this Covent ; the first Strugling , to bring the Election of the Bishop of Rochester into their Chapiter , which the last , Sticking close to their own inherent Rights and Priviledges , endevoured to disannul , and wholly to circumscribe his Election within the Precincts of their own Chapiter . Two Presidents , which represent to Posterity the whole State of this Controversie , do occur in Record . The first appears in the year 1227 , when after the Death of Benedict , the Bishop of Rochester , elected to succeed him , Henry Sandford , a Man of exemplary Piety , so that he was inculpable for his Life , and of unfathomed Learning , so that he was in that Age , almost unparallelled for his Knowledge , which could not stave off the Monks of Christ-church , to justle the Election , pretending that the pastoral Staffe or Crosier of Rochester , de Jure , ought to have been brought to their House , after the Decease of the Bishop , and that the Election was to have been made in their Chapiter . This occasioned much Heat , for the Monks of Rochester , vigorously asserted their own Choice , so that it was referred to the Decision of the Archbishop , and he again put it over to the Umpirage of Delegates , who hearing the parties concerned , and poising the Allegations , produced by either side to sustain the Justice of their own Cause ; they by a finall Determination , declared the Right to reside in the Monks of Rochester . But it seems this Fire , was only allayed , not extinguished : for in the year 1238 , it brake forth again , and the occasion which gave Fuell to it , was this . The Monks of Rochester , had elected Richard Wendover for their Bishop , which so exasperated and disgusted the Monks of Christ-church , that suspecting their own Power , they , more to inforce and multiply their Strength , and evacuate that Election , entituled Arch-bishop Edmund to their Cause . But the Monks of Rochester disclaiming , by a tame Remissenesse , either to foment or palliate their own undoing , appealed to Rome , where after the chargeable Commencement of a three years Sute , the Innocency and Justice of their Cause was recompensed with the Triumph of the Day , upon which they returned home exalted with the Joy of their Successe , and enacted in their Chapiter , that the annuall Feast of St. Cuthbert , on which Day they archieved this signal Conquest , should be doubly solemnized , both in their Church and in their Kitchin . But as they were successefull in their rancounters with the Arch-bishop , so they were very infortunate in that intestine Discord , which burst out between them , and their own Bishop Gilbert Glanville ; who not only forcibly wrung from them their Goods , Ornaments , Writings , and other Muniments , but likewise devested them of a considerable Portion of their Lands , Possessions , and Priviledges , which forced them to appeal to Rome for Redresse ; where they embroiled themselves in a tedious Law-Sute , which engaged them to that vast expence , that they were constrained to coin the Silver of Paulinus Shrine into Money , to support them in so expensive and costly a Contest ; and this much embased for the future that Esteem which the World formerly had entertained both of the Piety and Sanctitie of the Monks of this Cloister .

But these Contests did not so much prejudice or endamage this Cloister within , though accompanied with much Heat , as the Devastation occasioned by the Element of Fire without : for in the year 1130. when Henry the first , with a great Convention of the Nobility and Bishops was then present to solemnize the Consecration of St. Andrews Cathedral and Church , which was then newly finished , a suddain Flame broke out , whose Assaults upon this Covent , did much deface and empare the Glory of the Ancient Fabrick . And as if this impetuous Eruption had not been enough to diminish the Beauty of it , there was another Fire in the year 1177. which was about the latter end of Henry the second , which exercised its Fury upon it , even to a total Depopulation of this Cloister ; yet after all these Disasters , wherein it is disputable , whether the Rage of men , or that of the Elements , were more destructive , by the Charitable Beneficence and Piety of that Age , it arose like a Phaenix , more Beautiful and vigorous , even out of its Embers and Ashes , and continued in that condition , until the general Dissolution , in the reign of Henry the eighth , and then that Prince having suppressed this Covent , and torn off their Revenue , upon their Ruines he established a Dean and twelve Prebends , and endowed them for their future support with that Demeasne , which for the principal part of it , as namely , Wouldham , Halling , Snodland , Trottescliff , Denton , Longfeild , Borestal , Lidsing , and Stoke , in the Hundred of Hoo , had been formerly annexed to the above-mentioned Cloister .

The Cathedral , with the Bishoprick of Rochester , united to it , were founded and established by that pious Monarch Ethelbert King of Kent , and the first Bishop to whom was entrusted the Pastoral Staffe or Crosier by Augustine , the Apostle of the Saxons , was Justus , the above-mentioned Prince , not only assenting unto this Election by his Presence , but likewise contributing to the Support of the Person so chosen , and his Successors by his liberal Beneficence . And indeed it is remarkable , that in all those Revolutions and Vicissitudes , which have rolled and varied the Fate of things and Affairs , since the Seeds of Christianity were sown so plentifully by the Hand of Augustine in this Island , that the Chair of this Bishoprick was still fixed at Rochester , whereas many others have in sundry parts of the Nation suffered divers Translations to other places then that where they at first were established ; and the Reason is , because by the Order of William the Conqueror , such Bishops as were before resident in Towns and Villages , were forthwith to transplant their Seat into walled Cities and places of Defence , the more to oblige the populacie , not only to repair thither for the Exercise of Devotion , but likewise to augment the Commerce and Bulk of those Cities , by such numerous Assemblies ; but in this Command of his , Rochester could not be interressed or concerned , that was invested with a Wall , or something equivalent to it long before the Age of the Conqueror . I should now unfold a Catalogue of those Bishops that swayed the Crosier of this Sea , beginning with Justus , and concluding with John Warner the instant Bishop of this Diocess ; but this is so obvious , both in Goodwin , and a late Manual , styled The Help to History , that I shall only historically Record the most eminent of them , and proceed . The first of whom I find to be Justus , who was translated from this Sea , to that of Canterbury , a Man whose Integrity of Life breathed out a noble perfume when he was living , and his Body , if we may credit the Fabulous and Superstitious Legend of that Age , no less grateful an Odour when he was Dead , for 't is reported that his Reliques being to be removed after their Enterment many years before , cast forth ( not the Stench or Steam of Putrefaction ) but a Sent so odorous and fragrant , that it did not annoy , but exceedingly delight the Nosthrils of those who were present ; but indeed this might be possible without the Concurrence of a Miracle , if we consider that those Remains of his might be rescued from the Fate of Corruption , by the Adjuncts or Circumstances of Nard , Balm , Spicery , and Perfume ; so that the Miracle seems to be imposed by the Monks on the Laity of that Age , only to excite both their Devotion and Benevolence .

Paulinus , who was the third Bishop , who succeeded him , converted Edwin King of Northumberland , and Edelburga his Queen , to Christianity , and so justly merited the Title of Apostle of that Province , for which he was recorded after his Death in the Register of Saints , and had his Body so far ennobled , that it was wrapt up in a silver Shrine .

Ithamar , who next succeeded him , had his Reliques likewise enshrined in after Times by Gandulphus Bishop of Rochester , which was not only repaired , but very much adorned and beautified by Bishop John his Successor , because ( as the Book of Rochester intimates , he was redeemed , by touching his Reliques , ab acerrimo Oculorum Dolore , from some sharp Distillation which did afflict his Eye .

Arnostus was present at Pinenden-heath , at the great Debate touching some Lands , which were unjustly ravished away from the Church .

Gundulphus his Successor erected the white Tower in Rochester-castle : and whereas he at his first Instalment , found but six Canons in the Covent of St. Andrews , he so liberally endowed it , that he left it replenished with threescore Monks of the Order and Rule of St. Benedict .

Tobias , whom I should have mentioned after Ithamar , was ( as Harp feild out of the Records of Rochester ) a man very dextrous and skilful in the Tongues , and a general Magazine of all other Learning both Divine and Humane beside .

Walter de Merton , Lord Chancellor of England , did not only found the Colledge of Merton at Oxford , but likewise laid the Foundation of an imperfect Colledge at Maldon in Essex , which by his Death was left unfinished . He died in the year 1277. and lies buried in his own Church at Rochester , to which in his Life Time he had been a Munificent Benefactor . In Gratitude to whose Memory Sir Henry Savil , and the Fellows of Merton Colledge , erected a Magnificent Monument , in the year 1599. over his Ashes , which though it be much empaired both by Age , and the injurious Affronts of these impious Times ; yet shall the Name of this great man be the best Steward to his own Dust : and when his Sepulchre it self shall lie enterred in its own deplored Rubbish , this shall stand unto it self an everlasting Tomb and Epitaph .

Hamon de Heath was Confessor to Edward the second , and a liberal Benefactor to this Church ; He built the House at the Mannor of Halling , which in some Ancient Records is styled his Pallace .

Joannes de Scapeia , or John de Shepey was Lord Treasurer of England three years .

Richard Young was a principal Contributor to the Reparation of the Church at Frendsbury , and wholly glazed the Windows : where not long since his pourtracture was exposed to the publick View ; a good Index , not only to his Memory , but likewise to the Remembrance of so pious a Work .

John Lowe was born in the County of Worcester , and was a man in the Estimate of Bale , who writ his Life , not only of signal Piety , but likewise an Exchequer of all manner of Learning .

John Fisher was a man of vast Knowledge , which yet was Ruinous to him for asserting the Papal Supremacy , when it was invested in Henry the eight , by an Act of Parliament ; he offered up his Life on a Scaffold , as a Sacrifice to that opinion .

Nicolas Ridley was a man of an inculpable Life , and of a wide Knowledge , who was so an irrefragable Assertor of the Protestant Religion , that he gave himself up at Oxford , to the Fury of Fire and Faggot for the Testimony of what he before had professed : and hath by his exemplary Life and Death , taught the Adversaries of Episcopacy this Lesson , that it is possible that the Seed may be pure as well as the Soyl ; that is , the persons of the Men , as well as the Office , may be incorrupt .

John Warner is the last , who brings up this Catalogue , in whom the instant Title of this Bishoprick is resident , a man worthy of better Dayes , yet fit for these ; who for his vast Encouragement of Learning in the best of Times , and his pious Support of it in the worst , cannot be mentioned without an Attribute .

There have in elder Times many Contests and Animosities broke out between the Bishops of Rochester and Worcester ; and the Fuel which fomented and supplied this Fire of Contention , was , that both these Prelates pretended to the Support of the Crosier before the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in all Processions , and other Acts of publick and signal Solemnity ; but in Fine , the Crosier or Pastoral Staff was fixed or setled in the Hand of the Prelate of Rochester , and hath been by Prescription ever since united as a convicted and Inherent Priviledge to this Diocesse .

Before I wave my Discourse concerning this Bishoprick , I must inform the Reader , that there are some peculiars which are annexed to the Deanries of Croydon and Shorham , and this hath entangled and engaged many in much Difficulty to trace out the last Wils and Testaments of those who deceased within the Confines and Precincts of these peculiars . To unravel therefore these Niceties for the future ; I shall represent a just Scale of these excepted places , out of the original Records of the Church of Rochester themselves , that those which can find no satisfaction in the Registers of Canterbury , or Records of Rochester , may yet discover what they are in pursuit of , in that Office , wherein these are enrolled and filed . But before I unwind their Catalogue , I shall in brief wrap up what in former Times hath been delivered touching the Office of Rural Deans , by Duarenus and others , who have more copiously dilated themselves upon this Subject . This Officer was certainly brought into the Church to supply the place of those whom Antiquity styled the Chore-Episcopi , who were commonly Assistants to the Bishop : For indeed where the Diocesse was of that vast Latitude and Extent , that the Managery of so great a Trust was disproportionate to the Discharge of one single Person , it was necessary that his Care should be supported by the mutual Counsel and concurrent Advice of others , whose prudence might improve the Affairs of the Church : and upon the going out of the above-mentioned Office , as being obsolete and antiquated , this of the Rural Dean came in . And to him did the Bishop entrust an Inspection into the Lives of the Clergy , and from him did receive an exact Account of Scandal in its whole Latitude , and other vitious Excesses , which might by an impious Connivance have added more blackness to the Cassock : He was likewise , by Delegation from the Bishop , to take Cognisance of all Errors and Deviations from that which in that Age was reputed Orthodox Doctrine , that neither the Foundation nor Superstructure of Religion might be assaulted . And lastly , where the Diocesse was wide , and of a large Territory , it frequently hapned that the Probate and Administration of sundry Testaments in divers places , was committed to his Care and Sway ; and he was likewise entrusted with a Seal , with the Name of the Bishop , whose Office by Deputation he was to discharge , and not his own , insculped upon it : which upon his Decease , or relinquishing this Office , was to be surrendered up into the Hands of the Bishop of the Diocesse for the Time being , that he might dispose of it as he should judge convenient . Thus much of the Rurall Dean : the Peculiars of which I before promised a Catalogue , are as follow : Ainsford Rectory and Vicarage . Bexley Vicarage . Brasted Rectory . Chiddingtone Rectory . Chevening Rectory . Cliff Rectory . Crayford Rectory . Darent Vicarage . East-Malling Vicarage . East-Peckham Vicarage . Ferningham Vicarage . Gillingham Vicarage . Graine Vicarage . Heys Rectory . Hever Rectory . Hunton Rectory . Igtam Rectory . Mepham Vicarage . Northfleet Vicarage . Orpington and St. Mary Crey Rectory . Otford Chappel . Pencehurst Rectory . Sundrige Rectory . Sevenoke Rectory and Vicarage . Stansted Chappel . Wrotham Rectory and Vicarage .

Having done with the Church , I shall now descend to those Mannors which lie circumscribed within the Precincts and Verge of this City . The first is Borestall , which , as Textus Roffensis denotes and signifies unto us , was given to the Church and Monks of St. Andrews , by Kenulfus King of Mercia , and was , as the Records of that Church testifie , de Cibo eorum , to support their Table with a constant supply of Diet , and rested annexed to their Demeasne , until the Fatality of the General Dissolution ravished it away , and afterwards it was by Henry the eighth , when he established a Dean and Chapiter upon the Ruines of this above-mentioned Priory , linked unto that Revenue , which he granted them for their future subsistence .

The second is Great Delce , which had owners of that Sirname , as is evident by Testa de Nevill , and other Records both of a publick and private Stamp ; but , it appears , was not of any permanent continuance in this Name : for before the middle of Edward the first , it was gon from that , and united to the Inheritance of Haspall . Geffrey de Haspall , enjoyed it at his Death under the Notion of the fourth part of a Knights Fee , as appears by an Inquisition , taken in the fifteenth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 25. The next Family in Succession after this , which was entituled to the Possession ( as is evident by the original Deeds , now in the Hands of Lea ) was Molineux , derived from those of Sefton in Lancashire , but he remained so inconsiderable a Space in the Inheritance , that like Cato in the Theater , he only stept into it , that he might go out again ; for about the Beginning of Edward the third , as appears by the testimony of an ancient Court-roll , Benedict de Fulsham , was invested in the Patrimony of it in the thirtieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 20. And from him , did it streame down in the Channel of successive Interest , to his Descendant Richard Fulsham , who likewise was in the Enjoyment of it at his Decease , which was in the fifth year of Henry the fifth , Rot Esc . Num. 17. But after his Exit , I find no farther mention of any of this Family , to have been possest of this place ; for , in the ninth year of Henry the fifth , Reginald Love , died seised of it , and transmitted it to his Successor , who held it untill the latter end of Henry the sixth , and then the Revolution of Purchase , brought it to be the Demeasne of William Venour , and it was found to be his Possession at his Death , which was in the first year of Edward the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 24. But after his Departure , the Title was very unsetled and inconstant ; for within the Circle of some Moneths after , it was by Sale from this Name , rolled into the Tenure of Markham descended from the ancient Stem of the Markhams , of Nottingham-shire , where after a very transitory aboad , it was by the same Fatality , carried into the Possession of Tate ; who about the first year of Edward the fourth , passed it away to Sir Richard Lea , Lord Maior of London , descended from an ancient Family of that Name , in the County of Worcester , and his Son was Sheriff of Kent , in the nineteenth year of Edward the fourth , and held his Shrievalty at his new acquired Mannor of Much Delce , and from him by an even thread of Descent , has the Title and Propriety been conducted down to Richard Lea Esquire , who is the instant Proprietary of it .

Horsted borrows its Name from Horsa , Brother to Hengist the Founder of the Saxon Kingdome here in Kent , who fell by the Sword of the Britons at Alresford , as an expiatory Sacrifice , to ballance the Losse of Cartigerne , Brother to Vortimer , General of the Confederate British Forces , who was offered up in that signal Encounter , as an Holocaust to the Saxon Fury ; and there is something , which even at this Day , lies wrapt up in the Name , that induces us to believe , that Horsa after his slaughter , recieved the Rites of his Funeral at this place ; and in our Grandfathers Memory , there were the scattered Remains of diverse huge Massie Stones , which Storms and other Impressions of Time , have now altogether demolished : and these certainly were , in elder Times , composed into the Figure of a Monument , to shroud the Ashes of this Horsa ; as those at Cits Cothouse , above Alresford , were framed into the same Proportionate Mould , to secure the Dust , or at least to point out to Posterity the Memory of Cartigern .

The Mannor it self , was enwraped in the Patrimony of the noble and ancient Family of Apulderfield . William de Apulderfield , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Horsted , in the thirty eighth year of Henry the eighth . In Times of a lower Descent , I discover it in the Possession of Warren ; for John , Son of Edmund Warren , held it at his Death , which was in the twelfth year of Edward the third . After Warren had quitted the Inheritance , I find the Fulshams by Purchase to be entituled to the Fee-simple of it ; and Benedict de Fulsham , enjoyed in at his Decease , which was in the thirtieth year of Edward the third , and paid relief for this and Much Delce , under the Notion of the fourth part of a Knights Fee , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of the above-said Prince . After this Family was worn out , it had successively the same Possessors with Much Delce , so that it came with that Mannor by Purchase from Tate , to Sir Richard Lea Knight ; and from him is the Title by successive Descent , transported to Rtchard Lea Esquire , the present Possessor .

Snodherst is another Mannor which lies partly spread into Chetham , and partly into the Limits of Rochester , was , as high as I can trace any Record , a Branch of that Demeasn , which fell under the Dominion of Badelesmer , and though Bartholomew Lord Badēlesmer , had by his perfidious Disloyalty , forfeited it in the Reign of Edward the second ; yet was it in the second year of Edward the third , restored to his Son Bartholomew Badelesmer , who in the twelfth year of that Prince , dyed without Issue , and left it to his Brother Giles Badelesmer , who likewise deceasing without Issue ; Sir John Tiptoft , in Right of Margery his Wife , one of his Sisters and Coheirs , entered upon the Inheritance of it : but , before the twentieth of Edward the third , had alienated it to Benedict de Fulsham , for he in that year , as appears by the Book of Aid , paid respective relief for it , at the making the Black Prince Knight , After Fulshams were extinguished at this place , it had the Fate to own the Jurisdiction and Interest of those , who were the Successive Proprietaries of Much Delce , so that it is now knit to the present Inheritance of Richard Lea Esquire .

Little Delce is the last Mannor which is circumscribed within the Precincts of this City . It was , in Ages of a very high Calculation , the Possession of the noble , illustrious , and ancient Family of Sherington , written in old Deeds , Pipe-rolls , and other Evidences , Serington , and sometimes Scherington , but most frequently Sherington : whose original and principal Seat , was at Sherington-hall at Cranworth in Norfolk , though they had other Mannors , which bore their Name , which anciently were folded up in their Demeasne , as namely Sherington in the County of Buckingham , Sherington in Sussex , Sherington in the County of Hereford , and Sherington in Lancashire , yet , as I take it , in their Possession . But to proceed , Odo de Serington , or Sherington , for the Names are Synonyma or coincident , held this Mannor in the thirty first year of Henry the first , and was enterred in the Cathedral of Rochester ; and when Robert Glover Somerset Herald , collected his Miscellany of Church-notes , in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth , there were some Reliques of his Monument , offered up to the Survey of a curious and Inquisitive Eye , which now the Sacrilegious Barbarity of impious Mechanicks , and the injurious Hand of Time together , have wholly dismantled . After Sherington was worn out , I find a Family , called Pugeis , invested in the Inheritance , and there is mention in the ninth year of Edward the first , in Kirkbies Inquest ( a Book kept in the Exchequet , ) of one Richard Pugeis who then held it : but before the latter end of Edward the third , this Family had deserted the Possession , and transmitted his Concernment in it by Sale to Richard Charles , and he enjoyed it at his Decease , which was in the fifth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num 92. And so did Nicholas Charles his Successor , in the eleventh year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. And Robert was his Son and Heir , who dying without Issue , it was united to the Demeasne of Richard Ormeskirk , in right of Joan , Sister and Heir of the above-mentioned Robert ; and he in the third year of Henry the fourth , alienated it to Henry Perey , Earl of Northumberland ; and he not long after , passed it away to Rickhull , in which Family it rested , untill the seventeenth year of Henry the sixth , and then it was by Deed conveyed from William Rickhull Esquire , to Thomas Glover , and Henry Hunt , who had then the Custody or Guardianship of Rochester-Bridge , and to the successive Wardens of it , towards the Preservation and Reparation of its Fabrick for ever ; so that at this instant , it is parcel of that Revenue , which rescues this noble Structure from Decay and Ruin .

Nashenden next offers it self up to our Remembrance . In the raign of Edward the second , I find it entituled to the Possession of a Family called Aspall , and in the twentieth year of Edward the third , John Aspall , paid respective Aid , at making the Black Prince Knight . But before the latter end of Richard the second , this Family , had surrendred the Inheritance of this place to Peckham : the last of which Name , which held it , was John Peckham , who ( as the Records of Rochester-Bridge informs me ) in the raign of Henry the sixth , made it part of that Demeasn by Sale , which was to support , with its Income , the Fabrick of Rochester Bridge , in whose Revenue , you may at this instant , still find it resident .

Rolvenden gives Name to the Hundred wherein it is placed , and is resolved into several places of eminent Consideration , which do not only call for a Survey , but even exact it : The first is Halden , called in Records the Mannor of Lambin , alias Halden , and the Reason of this Denomination is , because it assumed the first part of this Name from Lambinus de Langham , who held it under the Distribution of a whole Knights Fee ( as the Book called Testa de Nevill demonstrates ) in the twentieth year of Henry the third , at the Marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister , at which Time he accounted so for it : After this Family was departed from the possession of this place , which was about the beginning of Edward the third , the Haldens were by purchase setled in the Possession , and William de Halden Son of John de Halden , died seised of it , in the fiftieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 45. and left it to his Son John Halden , but he expiring , about the beginning of Henry the fourth , in Joan his Daughter and Heir , she by matching with John Guldeford Esquire , made it parcel of his Patrimony , and from him it devolved by Descent to Sir Richard Guldeford , who was Knighted at Milford-haven by H. the seventh , and was afterwards one of the Privy Counsel to that Prince . In the eighth year of his reign , he with Courage and Prudence opposed James Lord Audley , and his Cornish Squadrons , in that Eruption which they made upon this County , and in the Battle waged near Deptfordbridge , between King Henry the seventh , and those Rebels , represented such signal Testimonies of personal Magnanimity , that he was by that Prince made a Banneret at Black-heath . His Son Henry Guldeford Esquire , in the first year of Henry the eighth , went into Spain , and engaged himself under Ferdinand and Isabella , King and Queen of Castile and Aragon , in their Wars commenced against the Moores , and demeaned himself with that Fidelity and exemplary Resolution in all Conflicts entertained with those barbarous Infidels , that upon the Reduction of the Province of Granada , the above-mentioned Prince , for his signal Service performed in his and the Christian Quarrel , added to his Paternal Coat as an Augmentation , A Pomgranet slipped upon a Canton , being the Arms of that regained Province , and likewise dignified him with the Order of Knighthood . In the fourth year of Henry the eighth , he was again invested with the abovesaid Order by that Prince , and in the fifth of his reign , he commanded one of the Royal Navy called the Regent , in which Ship he acted Things worth the future Remembrance in that Sea-fight , which was waged between the English and French near Brittain , and in the same year ( as appears by the Original Patent bearing Date the twenty eighth of May ) he was made Standard-bearer of England , and carried it at the Siege of Terwin : His Son Sir Edward Guldeford , in the fifteenth year of Henry the eighth , received the Order of Knighthood , for his Service at Tourney , and was Captain of the Horse under the Duke of Suffolk , at the second Siege of Terwin , which was in the fifteenth year of that Prince , and not long after reduced Boghan-castle , taking the Advantage of the Winter , which had sealed up the Marshes , which environed it , and made it almost inaccessible in a Frost . In fine , this worthy Souldier and Patriot dying without Issue-male , left this Mannor of Halden to be enjoyed by Jane his Sole Inheritrix , matched to John Dudley Duke of Northumberland , and he having unhappily engaged himself in that ruinous Design , which was to devest Queen Mary of the Royal Diadem , and place it on the Head of the Lady Jane Grey , wedded to his Son Guilford Dudley , was in the first year of that Queen , for that insolent Attempt , which proved unsuccessful , attainted and beheaded , his Estate here being confiscated to the Crown , the Mannor was given by that Princess to Sir John Baker , her Attorney General , Ancestor to Sir John Baker Knight and Baronet , who at this Instant enjoyes the Mannor , but the Demeasne of it was granted to Sir Henry Sidney , whose Grandchild Robert Earl of Leicester , not many years since conveyed it to Sir Thomas Smith of London , whose Grand-child Robert Smith Esquire , lately died possest of it .

There are twelve Denns which hold of this Mannor of Lambin , aliàs Halden , and at the Court-day elect twelve Officers , called Beadles , to collect the Quit-rents , which relate to it : The Names of them here ensue , Midsell in Rolvenden , Stallenden in Rolvenden , Ramsden in Benenden , West Bishoppenden in Benenden , Folkinden in Benenden and Sandherst , Holnherst in Benenden , Elderherst in Halden and Tenterden , Ilehinden in Woodchurch , Mensden in Tenterden , Strenchden in Tenterden , Smeeth in Stone in the Isle of Oxney , Blackbrooks and Pisenden in Witresham .

Casingham is a second place of Estimate . In Ages of a very high Ascent , I find it had Owners of the same Sirname ; for , in Testa de Nevill , I find that William de Casingham held the Mannor of Casingham , now corruptly called Keinsham , with Orlovingden , another inconsiderable Mannor annexed unto it , in the twentieth year of Henry the third , and paid respective Aid for it accordingly , under the Notion of the fourth part of a Knights Fee , at the Marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister . In Times which were immediatly subsequent to the departure of this Family from this place , that is , in the Government of Henry the fourth , I find by an Ancient Court-roll , the Moores to have been possest of it , and kept it in their Inheritance , until the reign of Henry the eighth , and then it was conveyed to Gibbons of Rolvenden ; from which Family , about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , as appears by the Court-rols , now in the Hands of my Learned Friend Mr. Kilbourn , it went away to Hay or Hays of Sussex , and in this Name it remained until that Time which bordered upon our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was alienated to Everden or Everinden , descended from the Everindens of Everinden-house in Biddenden , where they are recorded by the private Deeds of that place , to have been resident many Hundred years , until in the second year of Queen Mary , it was passed away by Sale to John Mils , Ancestor to the present Proprietary . But to proceed , the Continuance of this Family at this place , was but brief and transitory ; for not many years since , it went away by Sale from this Name to Muns , where the Inheritance still continues .

Fresingham sometimes written Fersingham , and vulgarly called Frensham , is the last place of Account in Rolvenden . It had in the twentieth year of Henry the third , as appears by Testa de Nevill , a Family of that Name which was its Possessor ; for John de Fresingham or Fersingham held it then , and paid for it after the Rate of the fourth part of a Knights Fee , at the Marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister . And in this Family did it remain until the latter part of Edward the third , and then the Vicissitude of Purchase brought it to be the Demeasne of Norwood , and in this Name was it resident , until the reign of Edward the fourth , and then , as appears by the old Rols of this Mannor , it was conveyed to Guldeford , and Sir Henry Guldeford , upon his Decease , gave it to his second Son Sir George Guldeford , from whom it descended to his Grand-child Sir Edward Guldford , who about the beginning of King James passed it away to Mr. Fowle , who bequeathed it to his second Son Mr. ...... Fowle , who sold it to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet , Grand-father to Sir Edward Hales , who possesses the instant Signory and Fee-simple of it .

Hole in this Parish was a Seat which had Owners of that Sirname , for in the year 1340. Henry at Hole demises this place-by Deed to his two Sisters Honor and Alice ; but for many Descents last past , Edmund Gibbons was of this Family , who founded the Free-School at Benenden , and setled 30. l. per Annum for its endowment . it hath been the Patrimony of Gibbons , who held Land in this Parish in the year 1326. and was the Seminary or Original Seed-plot , whence all of that Name and Family in Kent primitively sprouted forth , and though Sir William Segar did assigne to Mr. Gibbons of Westcliff , A Lion Rampant between three Escollops , and to this Family , A Lion Rampant between three Ogrises , as their Coat-Armor , yet in ancient coloured Glasse at Hole now the Inheritance of Colonel Robert Gibbons , the paternal Coat of this Family is represented to have been , Or , A Lion Rampant Sables charged with an Escarbuncle Pomettee and Flourette of the first , which I mention that this Family now of Hole might receive no prejudice by his Mistake or inadvertency .

Fersham in this Parish , was ( as appears by some dateless Deeds ) the Patrimony of Sir John de Fersham . Stephen de Fersham , this mans Successor , in the eleventh year of Edward the third , found a man at Arms for Guard of the Sea Coasts , which implies he was of eminence in those Times : In Times of a latter Date ; that is , in the reign of Henry the fourth , I find it possest by Guldeford , and remained with the Revenue of that Family until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was passed away to Dike of Sussex , whose Descendants by their Trustees and Commissioners , not many years since conveyed their joynt-Interest in it to Mr. Thomas Bromfeild of London Merchant .

Old Romney in the Hundred of Langport , is eminent for two or three places which lie within the Confines of it , which are both of Spiritual and Secular Concernment . The first is Agne-court and Orgarswike , not distant by any considerable Difference of space from this Town , and which was once a Parish entirely in it self , until , it is probable , the unhealthful Situation made the Inhabitants vary their Station and dislodge : which were both given by Offa King of the Mercians , in the year seven hundred eighty and one , to the Prior and Monks of Christ-church , ad Pascua Porcorum , say the Records of that Covent , that is , for the feeding or grazing of their Hoggs . And it is possible that the Foundation of this Grant was the profuse Effusion , not only of Christian , but of Innocent Blood , which had been so prodigally wasted , to be subservient and ministerial to the ambitious Interests and Passions of the above-mentioned Prince , and though peradventure he had endeavored to wash off those Crimson Stains which stuck upon his Hands , besmeared with the Blood of Ethelbert King of the East-Angles , and others , with penitential Pears ; yet he deemed that an insufficient Expiation to assoil himself from his contracted Guilt , unlesse he made his Compunction more visible and conspicuous , by a Munificent Manifestation both of his Piety and Charity together .

Bere or Berry-court in Old Romney ( for it carried the first Appellation in very Old Evidences ) is a Mannot which hath contracted a Reputation from those large Quit-rents and other Services which appertain unto it , rather then from the Dimension and extent of its Revenue , which is but narrow and circumscribed ; Nicholas de Bere held it , in the twentieth year of Henry the third , as appears by an old Court-roll , which hath an Aspect upon that Time . He was Son of Richard de Bere , who was one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae ( an Office of a wide circumference of Trust in that Age ) in the second year of King John , in the great Controversie which was started between Richard de Garwinton , and Theobald de Twitham , concerning Land at Ilding in Kingston . In the twentieth year of Edward the third , I find that Robert Forneaux , Robert Atwood , and Thomas Tutwise had some Interest in Berry-court , and paid respective Aide for it , as the Book of Aide informs me , at making the Black Prince Knight : But before the beginning of Richard the second , I find the Title wholly concentered in Belknap ; for Sir Robert Belknap the Judge , did not only hold it in the first year , but likewise in the tenth of that Prince : at what Time being attainted and banished , by the Malevolent Concurrence of some ambitious Lords , whose Influence like a Confederacy of Malignant Aspects in the Stars , combined to Ruine him , this by Escheat was invested in the Crown , and was by Royal Concession ( as appears by the Original Patent ) conveyed in the thirteenth of Richard the third ; to John Brockman . In Times of a lower step , that is , in the reign of Henry the eighth , I find it in the Possession of John Newland : but whether by Purchase from Brockman or not , for want of Intelligence , I cannot discover . And in this Family the Propriety continued , until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Sir George Perkins , from whom almost in our Memory the same Mutation brought it to confess the instant possession of Mr. ...... Aldridge of Tilers near Reding .

Rucking in the Hundred of Hamme , in Ancient Records written Roking , was , by the Piety and Charitable Munificence of King Offa , in the year seven hundred eighty and one , given to the Prior and Monks of Christ-church , and was in the Original Donation granted ad Pascua Porcorum , for the Pasture of their Hoggs , and it continued clasped up in their Revenue , until the Tempest of the general Dissolution arose and overtook it ; for , there being a Surrender of the Revenue of this Covent , into the Hands of Henry the eighth , in the thirty third year of his reign , he united it to the Dean and Chapiter of Christ-church , which he shortly after established and moulded out of their Ruines , and here it continued until a late Storm arose again , and tore it off .

Barbedinden is another eminent Mannor within the Boundaries of this Parish , which had in Ages of a more Ancient Inscription Proprietaries of the same Denomination ; William de Barbodinden held it at his Death , which was in the ninth of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 3. And left it to his Son and Heir John de Barbodinden , who in the twentieth year of Edward the third , as appears by the Book of Aid , paid an Auxiliary supply for it at making the Black Prince Knight . After this Family was extinguished , Robert Belknap the Judge succeeded in the Possession of it : and I do not find , that , though the Crown upon his Attaint , seised upon much of his Estate , that ever his Interest here was ravished away from him ; for he was in Possession of this place at his Death , which was in the second year of Henry the fourth , and disposed it by Will , to his Son John Belknap , who about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , alienates it to Engham : amongst whose Demeasne , the Propriety of this Mannor had not many years dwelt , but the Title was by Sale supplanted , and cast into the Possession of Sir Matthew Brown Knight , and his Son Thomas Brown Esquire , in the last year of Edward the sixth ; passed it away by Sale to Anthony Lovelace Esquire , Ancestor to Richard Lovelace , who some few years since , alienated his entire Concernment in it , to the late Possessor Mr. Richard Hulse , descended from the ancient Family of Hulse , of the Borough of Hulse , lying within Namptwich , in the County of Chester .

S. S. S. S.

SAltwood in the Hundred of Hene , hath an open Prospect into the Ocean , which flowed up much nearer , then now it doth , and imparted its Nature to its Name : for in Latin it is written de Bosco Salso . The Arch-bishops of Canterbury , had here formerly a magnificent Castle , which Time hath much dismantled ; and a Park well stored with Deere , now vanished and gon . Many Mannors in this Track , are held of it by Knights Service , which justly made it to be counted and called an Honour . It was granted to the Church , in the year 1096 , by one Halden , who for Grandeur and opulency , was reckoned one of the Princes of England . The Value and extent of it , are more particularly set forth , in the Records of the Church of Canterbury , in the Conquerour's Time , and they speak thus : In Limwarlaed in Hundred . de Hede , habet Hugo de Montfort de Terra Mouachorum I Manerium Saltwode de Archiepiscopo , & Comes Godwinus tenuit illud , & tunc se defendebat pro VII Sullings ( That was Godwin Earl of Kent , who by a possessory right , held many Towns along this Coast ) & nunc sunt V. & tamen non Scottent , nisi pro III. Et in Burgo de Hede sunt CC. & XXV . Burgenses , qui pertinent huic Manerio , de quibus non habet Hugo nisi III. Forisfacta ( for it lies in the Franchise of the five Ports , and the King was to have their Serice & est appretiatum XXVIII . lb. & IIII. This was Hugh Montfort , who was one of those powerfull Men , which entered England with William the Conquerour .

In the Time of K. Henry the second , Henry de Essex , Baron of Ralegh in that County , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports ( pro Tempore ) and the King's Standard-bearer in right of Inheritance held this Castle of the Arch-bishop , who having in a leight Skirmish against the Welsh in Flintshire , not only cast away his Courage , but his Standard also ; was appealed of high Treason , and in a legal Duell or Combate , vanquished by his Challenger , and being possest with regret and shame , contracted from this Defeat , shrouded himself in a Cloister , and put on a Monks Cowle forfeiting a goodly Patrimony and Lively-hood , which escheated to King Henry the second . But Thomas Beckett acquainting the King , that this Mannor belonged to his Church and Sea ; that Prince being beyond the Seas , directed a Writt to K. Henry his Son ( the Draught of which is represented to us by Matthew Paris , whither I referre the Reader ) for Restitution : But in regard of new emergent Contests , between King Henry the second , and that insolent Prelate , it was not restored unto the Church untill the Time of Richard the second .

The Castle was magnificently inlarged and repaired by William Courtney , Archbishop of Canterbury , in the Time of Richard the second , as his Will doth declare , and his Arms in Stone-work eminently demonstrate , and remained , after his Decease , annexed to the Archiepiscopal Revenue , untill Thomas Cranmer in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth , exchanged it with that Prince . And his Son King Edward the sixth , in the fourth year of his Raign , granted it to Edward Lor● Clinton , who not long after conveyed it to Mr. Henry Herdson , whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson , passed it away , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , to Robert Cranmer Esquire , by whose Daughter and Heir , Ann Cranmer , it devolved to Sir Arthur Harris of Crixey in Essex , whose Son Sir Cranmer Harris , not many years since , alienated it to Sir William Boteler , Father to Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet , the instant Lord of the Fee .

There is an old vast Mansion House of Stone , at Brochull in this Parish , on the side of a Steep Hill , which was the Seat and ancient Residence of a Family as eminent for Antiquity , as any in this Track , and extracted their Sirname from hence , and were called Brochull , who flourished here in Knights Degree , and in some Parliaments in the Time of Edw. the third , and Edw. the fourth , sate there as Knights of the Shire . Margaret the Wife of William , builded , or caused to be built , an Isle on the Northside the Parish Church . You may rove at the Time by the rudenesse of the Words , which are here transcribed out of the East Window , where they stand engrossed , in an antiquated Character : Margareta La Famma Gillam de Brockhilla fio Fera sata Shapella .

From hence branched forth the Brockhills , or Brockhulls ( for anciently they were written so , both ways ) both of Cale-hill , and Aldington Septuans in Thurnham : But the Male Line fayling here in Thomas Brockhull , Elizabeth his Sole Daughter and Heir , brought it to be possest by Richard Selling , in which Family , after the Interest of it , stayed untill allmost our Fathers Remembrance , it was by the same Devolution , carried off to acknowledge the Propriety of Tournay .

Sandhurst in the Hundred of Selbrittenden , was , with much other Land granted by King Offa , in the year 791 , to Christ-church in Canterbury . But Betherinden was always of temporal Interest ; for it afforded both Seat and Sirname , to a Family of this Denomination , and John de Bethrinden , dyed seised of it , in the year of Edward the third : But not long , after , did it reside in this Family ; for this Name expired in a Female Inheritrix , who was matched to Finch , who united this Seat to his Demeasne ; and here it lay untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was rent off by Sale , and placed in Pelham ; and from this Name a Mutation of the same Circumstance , took it away ; and , in our Fathers Remembrance annexed it to the Inheritance of Fowl , and remains still with the Descendants of that Family .

Aldrinden is a third place of Account in Sandhurst , had Owners of that Sirname : of whom Roger de Aldrinden , as the private Deeds of this place do inform me , was the last in the Male descent , who left it to his Daughter and Heir Christian Aldrinden ; and she in the twenty second year of Edward the third , passed it away to John Sellbrittenden ; who not long after , alienated it to Thomas Bourne , and he held it as appears by an old Court-roll , in the first year of Richard the second ; and from him did it by the Chain of Descent , passe along , untill it arrived at John Bourn , who dying in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , settled it by Will , on Joan his Female Inheritrix , matched to Thomas Allard , and by this Alliance , did it descend to his Son Henry Allard , who had Issue John Allard ; who alienated his Right in it by Sale , to John Twisden Gentleman , in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth ; from whom it came down to his Successor Mr. William Twisden ; who about the Beginning of King James , sold it to Mr. Thomas Downton Esquire , Father of Mr. Richard Downton of Istleworth Esquire , Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex , now Proprietary of it .

Combden is another Mannor in this Parish , which was anciently possest by Fulk de Ballard ; that Fulk , who , as appears by the Book called Testa de Nevill , in the Exchequer , paid a respective supply for Land in Sandhurst , at the marriage of Isabell Sister to King Henry the third , in the twentieth year of that Prince : but not long did the Propriety of this place , rest in this Family ; for in the reign of Richard the second , I find it in the Possession of the Whitfields , an ancient Family , descended from Whitfield in Cumberland , of which Stock was Sir Ithan de Whitfield , who in behalf of the Barons , then knit together in an hostile confederacy against their Prince , ( as an old French Manuscript informs me ) tue Borough-bridge 15. Edwardi secundi , il est oit contre le Roy , defended Borough-bridge against Edward the second . And ever since the Government of that Prince above-mentioned , was this place constantly fastned by the Thread of many Descents to the Patrimony , though not of this Family , yet of this Name , until Sir Ralph Whitfield deceasing not many years since , bequeathed it by Will to his Daughter Mrs. Dorothy Whitfield , who hath now brought it by Marriage to be the possession of John Fotherly Esquire .

Here is a place in this Parish , which , however it be now under a cloudy and obscure Character , was in Ages of a higher Gradation , the Inheritance of the Noble Family of Twisden : and certainly here they lived , when they writ , de Denna Fracta , and from them it hath borrowed the Title of Twisden-street or Borough , which it retains to this Day . Indeed Twisden in the Original Saxon , imports no more but the broken Valley , or the Vale distinguished into two peeces ,

Shadockherst in the Hundreds of Blackborn , Chart , Longbridge and Ham , was the Inheritance of a Family called Forstall , and sometimes written at Forstall , which were of no contemptible Extraction in this County ; for in several Ancient Deeds , I find John at Forstall , and Richard at Forstall to be Witnesses , and it is probable they were Possessors of this Mannor , though the private Deeds reach out to our View , no higher discovery then the reign of Henry the fifth ; for in the third year of that Prince's reign , Joan Forstall passes it away by Deed to Stokys , vulgarly called Stokes , and in that Family was the Interest of it many years clasped up , until at last the ordinary Vicissitude of Purchase brought it to be the Demeasne of Randolph , who had an Estate likewise about Burham near Maidstone . And from this Name , about the beginning of King Edward the sixth , it went away by Sale to Sir John Taylor , who in the twenty fifth of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away to John Taylor Esquire , Ancestor to Thomas Taylor Esquire , who is now invested in the Possession of it , and from whom I confesse I have received my Intelligence concerning those who were the former Proprietaries of it .

Criols-court in this Parish was one of those Seats which related to the Patrimony of Bertram de Crioll , and he died seised of it , in the twenty third year of Edward the first , and left it to his Son John de Crioll , who deceasing about the beginning of Edward the third without Issue , it devolved to Joan his Sister and Heir , who was matched to Sir Richard de Rokesley : but he likewise determined in Agnes Rokesley , who was one of his two Female Co-heirs , and she by matching with Thomas de Poynings entituled that Family to the possession of that wide Estate , which devolved to her in Right of her Mother , and from him did it descend to his Successor Sir Edward Poynings , Son of Robert Poynings , a man very eminent in the Government of Henry the seventh . For this Sir Edward , in the first year of his Rule , immediatly after he had triumphed over Richard the third in Bosworth-field , was chosen one of his Privy Councel to manage the publick Interest of the Nation : Afterwards he most vigorusly opposed James Lord Audley , and his Cornish Squadrons being then in Defection to Henry the seventh , in the tenth year of his reign . And this Sir Edward held it at his Death , which was in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , though his Office was not found until the fourteenth of that Prince , and then it being discovered that the whole Stock and Lineage of this Family were extinguished , and that there were none who were legally begotten ( for Sir Thomas Poynings was his natural Son ) that either in a direct or collateral Line , could pretend a Title to his Estate , it escheated to the Crown . And Henry the eighth afterwards passed it away by Grant to William Taylor , whose Sutcessor Mr. Thomas Taylor passed it away to George Taylor , and he had Issue Mr. John Taylor , who concluding in Anne his Sole Daughter and Heir , she by a Match with Whitfeild , annexed it to the Demeasne of that Name , from whom again , not many years since , it came over by Sale to More , who very lately hath alienated it to Mr. Thomas Taylor Esquire .

Mincing-court , vnlgarly so called , but Originally , and in Old Records styled Minikens-court , is likewife circumscribed within the Verge of Shadock herst . It was parcel of that Income which did support in elder Times the Hospital of St. Jacobs in Tanington by Canterbury , which was founded to be a Receptacle of Leprous Women , and confirmed by Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury , about the beginning of King John : and to this Covent did it relate , until the reign of King Edward the sixth , and then though it had not been torn off from the Revenue of the abovesaid Hospital , by the violent Hand of Henry the eighth ; yet it was alienated by that Prince , and in the second year of his Rule it was granted to Robert Tatteshall Esquire , to hold of his Mannor of East-Greenwich , tantum per Fidelitatem Servitii , and from him immediatly after it came over by purchase to Sir Edward Wotton . And when Cardinal Poole visited Kent , in the year 1557. he was found invested in it , and from him did it by paternal Delegation devolve to his Successor Thomas Lord Wotton , who setled it upon his eldest Daughter Katherine , upon her Marriage with Henry Lord Stanhop , Son and Heir to Philip Earl of Chesterfield , and this Lady not long since hath alienated her Interest in it to Mr. Thomas Harfleet of Canterbury .

Stalesfeild in the Hundred of Feversham , was a Limb of that vast Revenue which fell under the Jurisdiction and Signory of the Knights Templers , and is registred under that Notion , in that Book kept in the Exchequer , styled Liber de Terris Templariorum . And in Mr. Robert Glovers Church-Notes of Kent , there is in this Church represented the Pourtracture of a Chevalier maled in Armour , whose Face is only visible , and that pourtracted with a long Beard , which induces me to believe , that it was the Effigies of some eminent Person of this Order ; for in all the Sculpture and Imagery of the Knights Templers , both Ancient and Modern , they are still delivered to Posterity under that Representation . And Peter Auger falling under the Censure of a Knight Templer , in the fourth year of Edward the second , though Valett to that Prince , because he nourished a long and diffused Beard , was absolved and discharged by his Master , by satisfying the publick , that though he wore a long Beard , he was no Knight Templer . But to advance in my Survey ; After that fatal Tempest , which was conjured up by the Magick of the Court of Rome , and its Emissaries , had , in the second year of Edward the second , shook this Order into a total Dissolution , this Mannor which lay clasped up in their Revenue , was united by Royal Concession to the Demeasne of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem , and there it dwelt , untill the general suppression , in the reign of Henry the eighth , dislodged it , and threw it into the possession of the Crown , where it lay involved , until King Edward the sixth , in the fourth year of his Government , by Grant planted the Propriety in Sir Anthony St. Leger , and he immediatly after passed it away to Sir Anthony Aucher , who was afterwards slain bravely disputing the Interest of the English Nation at Calais , against the Assaults of the French : and his Successor , about the beginning of King James alienated it to Salter , from whom it is now come down to Sir Nicholas Salter , who is entituled to the instant Fee-simple of it .

Darbies-court in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to a Family , which was known to the World by no other Denomination , and certainly was a Family of generous Account in this Track ; for in very ancient Registers and Rols of Kentish Gentry ; I find this Coat to be borne by this Name , videlicet , Partie per Cheveron embattelled , Or , and Azure , three Eagles counterchanged : And of this Family was John Darby Esquire , who was Sheriff of London , in the year 1445. and built the South-Isle of St. Dionis Back-church near Lime-street , where the Windows represent to our View the above-mentioned Coat , as the best Index to the Memory of so munificent a Benefactor : But to proceed ; Before the beginning of Henry the fourth , the Propriety of this Mansion was by Sale conveyed from Darby to St. Leger , where its aboad was of as brief a continuance ; for the Male-line failing in Thomas St. Leger Esquire , who bought it , by Joan his Daughter and Co-heir wedded to Henry Aucher Esquire , it came over to be the Inheritance of that Family , and in their Revenue was constantly fixed , until the Age and Remembrance of our Grand-fathers , and then it was alienated to Sir Michael Sonds of Eastry , from whom by hereditary Right it devolved to Sir Richard Sonds of Throuley , who in his Life-time passed it away to his Son and Heir Sir George Sonds , now of Leeze-Court in Shelvich , Knight of the Bath , to whom the Possession of this Mannor at this instant is entituled

Stamford in the Hundred of Folkstone , is in it self , a small obscure Village , but made eminent by containing within the Limits of it , Ostenhanger , a Seat of as much Account and Eminence , as any in the County . The Demeasne which related to it , was divided between the two noble Families of Crioll and Auberville : Bertram de Crioll , was Sheriff of Kent , in the twenty seventh year of Henry the third , and is written in the Pipe-roll of that year , of Westenhanger , a Name coincident with the other . Sir William de Auberville lived at the Borough of Westenhanger , when he founded the Abby of West-Langdon , in the Time of Richard the first : he had Hugh de Auberville , who likewise ( as appears by the Leiger Book of that Covent , being , a liberal Benefactor to that Cloister ) was his Son and Heir , and he had Issue Sir William de Auberville , in whom the Male-Line determined , and he had only a Female Inheritrix , espoused to Nicholas de Crioll , whether of a. Younger House , or else a Younger Son to Bertram de Crioll above-mentioned , I cannot discover : Bertram de Crioll , had Issue Bertram de Crioll , who dyed possest of a great Proportion of Ostenhanger , in the twenty third year of Edward the first , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 48. And left it to Joan his Daughter , married to Sir Richard de Rokesley , who upon the Decease of her only Brother John de Crioll , without Issue , became his Sole Heir . This Sir Richard de Rokesley , was one of those eminent Kentish Gentlemen , that accompanied King Edward the first into Scotland , and for his signal Service performed at the Siege of Carlaverock , was made a Banneret by that Prince : See Rot. Pipae de Anno 17. Edw. 2. but he likewise expired in two Daughters and Coheirs ; Agnes one of them , was wedded to Thomas de Poynings ; and Joan the other , was matched to Walter de Pateshull . Upon the Partition of the Estate , Rokesley's Interest in Westenhanger wholly accrued to Poynings , and he had Issue Nicholas de Poynings , who was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , the thirty third year of Edward the third : Michael Poynings , who was likewise summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , the forty second year of that Prince ; and thirdly Lucas de Poynings , who in the year abovesaid , was honored with the same summons . Upon the Devision of the Estate , Westenhanger was annexed to the Demeasne of Michaell de Poynings , and he had Issue Thomas de Poynings , who was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the sixth year of Henry the fourth , his Son and Heir was Robert Poynings , who in the twelfth year of Henry the sixth , with Iohn Perry , were designed by Authority , to take the Subscriptions of those Kentish Gentlemen , who were summoned in , to renounce the Title of the House of York , which it seems was then in secret Agitation , to be set up against she House of Lanc●ster ; and this Robert , was oftentimes summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of that Prince . The last time I find him summoned , was in the twenty third year of his Government , and his Son and Heir was Robert Poynings , who was likewise summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of the above-mentioned Monarch , and deceased the eighth year of Edward the fourth , and left his Estate here to that worthy Person his Son and Heir Sir Edward Poynings , of whom more hereafter . I shall now discover , how that Division of Ostenhanger , which devolved to Nicholas de Crioll , by the Heir of Auberville , was passed away : Nicholas de Crioll , had Issue John de Crioll , who in the nineteenth year of Edward the third , obtained a Licence , to found a Chantry in the Chappel of St. Johns in Ostenhanger , and endow it with one Messuage , forty five Acres of Glebe , and six Acres of Pasture situated in Limn , as appears Prima Parte Pat. de Anno 19. Edwardi tertii Memb. 4. And before , in the seventeenth year of that Prince , was permitted by Grant from the Crown , to embattle , and make Loop-holes in his Mansion house at Ostenhanger , as is manifest , secunda Parte Pat. de Anno 17. Edwardi tertii Memb. 34. And he left it secured and invested , with these new acquired Franchises , to his Son Sir Nicholas de Crioll , and he dyed seised of it in the third year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 40. And from him did it successively devolve to Sir Thomas Keriell or Crioll , who was slain at the second Battle of St. Albans , in the thirty eighth of Henry the sixth , whilst he asserted the Quarrel of the House of Yorke , and dying without Issue-male , Thomas Fogge Esquire , in his Wife 's Right , who was one of his Daughters and Co-heirs , entered upon his Estate here at Ostenhanger , and about the latter end of Edward the fourth , passed it away to his eldest Brother Sir John Fogge of Repton , who died possest of it , in the seventeenth year of Henry the seventh , and bequeathed it by Testament to his Son and Heir Sir John Fogge , who about the beginning of Henry the eighth , demised his Concernment here to Sir Edward Poynings ; which Edward Poynings was one of the Privy Councel to Henry the seventh , and lived here , when he so vigorously in the tenth year of that Prince , opposed the proceedings of James Lord Audley , who was afterwards defeated at Black-heath , and likewise was Lord Deputy of Ireland , and Knight of the Garter , and by his Influence on that Nation , was that eminent Statute enacted , which ever since hath been adopted into his Family , and called Poynings-Law . He was likewise at the Siege of Terwin , with Henry the eighth , and was there for his eminent Service created Knight Banneret , and Governour of that Town . He died in the twelfth year of King Henry the eighth , and was found after a serious Inquisition taken after his Death , in the fourteenth year of that Prince , to have neither any Issue lawfully begotten , nor any collateral Alliance , that could by any remote Affinity eptitle themselves to his Estate , and so by Escheat it became invested in the Crown : but King Henry the eighth , out of his indulgent Bounty , by Royal Concession made it the Inheritance of his natural Son Thomas Poynings , who was a Person of excellent and elegant Composure , and eminent Merit , and was made Knight of the Bath , at the Coronation of Queen Anne , in the twenty fourth of that Prince's reign , and afterwards having represented to the World signal Demonstrations in a publick Joust or Tournament , of a remarkable Strength and Courage , was in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth , called to sit in Parliament , as Baron Poynings of Ostenhanger : but in the thirty seventh of that Prince's reign , deceased without Issue , upon whose Exit this Mannot reverts to the Crown , and there lay couched , until the first year of Edward the sixth , and then it was granted to John Dudley Earl of Warwick , afterwards Duke of Northumberland : upon whose Attainder , in the first year of Queen Mary , it became again parcel of the Royal Patrimony ; and afterwards Queen Elizabeth , about the beginning of her reign , passed it away by Grant to her Kinsman Sir Thomas Sackville , and he not long after , alienated it by Sale to Thomas Smith Esquire , vulgarly called Customer Smith , who much enhaunsed the Beauty of the Fabrick , which had been empaired and defaced with Fire , with magnificent Additions : from whom it is now transmitted by paternal Descent to his great Grand-child , the Right Honorable Philip Smith Viscount Strangford , who hath made it his principal Residence .

The Mannor of Heyton , lies likewise in Stamford , which was anciently possest by a Family of deep Antiquity , which was known to the World by that Sirname , and bore for their Cognisance in Ancient Armorials , Gules three Piles Argent . Alanus de Heyton , called in some old Records Alanus Vicecomes , because he was joyned as an Assistant to Ralph de Picot , Sheriff of Kent in the execution of his Office , in the third , fourth , and fifth years of Henry the second , held a whole Knights Fee of Gilbert de Magninot , in the Government of that Prince , but deceased without Issue ; so that Elveva his Sister matched to Deringus de Morinis Son of Norman de Morinis , became his Heir , from whom the Mannor of Heyton descended to his Son Deringus de Morinis , who still writ himself in his Dateless Deeds , Dominus de Heyton , and so did * * It is probable this was the Richard Fitz-Dering , who was with Richard the first , at the Siege of Acon . Richard Fitz-Dering his Grand-child , who died possest of it , in the forty second year of King Henry the third , and left it to his Son Peter Dering , who likewise held this Mannor almost all the reign of Edward the first , and from him did it descend to his Son and Heir Richard Dering , who was Brother to Sir Robert Dering , who was one of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem : and this Richard , about the eighth year of Edward the second , passed it away to William Scot of Smeth , from whom by an uninterrupted and unbroken Clew of many Generations , was the Possession carried down to those Scots , who were Proprietaries of it in that Age , wherein our Grand-fathers flourished , and then it was demised by Sale to Smith , which Family it still confesses for Possessors .

Stansted in the Hundred of Wrotham , represents to our Remembrance an Ancient Family called Grapinell , who were once Owners of this place , and flourished here under the Scepter of Henry the third , and Edward the first : but going out in Daughters and Co-heirs , Margeria one of them , by marching with William de Inge , who was a Judge , in the raign of Edward the second , knit this Mannor to the Inheritance of this Family , and he died seised of it , in the fifteenth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 42. and left it to his only Daughter and Heir , in an old Pedigree called Isolda : but more truely Joan ; for in the Inquisition taken after the Death of Eudo la Zouch , to whom she , was matched , which was in the twentieth year of Edward the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. it is found that he held this Mannor in Right of his Wise Joan , Sole Heir of William de Inge. And from this Eudo did Thomas la Zouch Baron of Haringworth descend , who died possest of it , in the sixth year of Henry the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 17. and so did his Son Henry Lord Zouch , who was the last of this Name who was possest of this place at his Decease , which was in the twenty sixth of Henry the sixth . After the Zouches the Colepepers were by purchase from them entituled to the Possession , and Richard Colepeper was found to hold it at his Death , which was in the second year of Richard the third , and from this Family , about the beginning of Henry the seventh , it passed away to Thomas Leigh , whose Son John Leigh gave it to his natural Son Richard Leigh , in the year 1575. and he not long after alienated it to Bing of Wrotham , from which Family it is very lately carried away to William James of Ightam Esquire , one of the Justices of the Peace of this County , a Person who for his Affection to Learning and Antiquity , cannot be mentioned without an Attribute .

Soranks in this Parish , was the Seat of a Family , which borrowed its Sirname from hence , and had the Repute of a Mannor , in the reign of Edward the third . For Roger de Sorancks held this Mannor ( as is evident by the Book of Aide kept in the Exchecquer ) in the twentieth year of Edward the third , by Knights Service of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury . But after the reign of that Prince , it was not very constant to the Interest of this Name ; for about the beginning of Richard the second , I find it in the possession of Thomas Mortimer , Lord of the Mannor of Mortimers in Cowling , and he in the twentieth year of the abovesaid Monarch , passed it away to William Skrene , and when this Name was worn out at this place , the Family of Wood was ingrafted in the possession , and rested there until the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then it was by Thomas Wood passed away to Robert Barefoot , in which Family the Title was as transient ; for Thomas Barefoot this mans Son , in the third and fourth of Philip and Mary , alienated it to Henry Fanshaw , who almost in our Fathers Remembrance conveyed the Fee-simple unto Launce .

Stansted had the Grant of a Fair obtained by William de Inge the Judge , in the ninth year of Edward the second , to be held yearly , for the space of three Dayes , at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , as appears , Cart. 9. Edwardi secundi Num. 40.

Stapleherst in the Hundred of Twyford , was as appears by Ancient Deeds and Inquisitions , as to some part of it , folded up in the large Patrimony of Fremingham , whose capital Residence was at Fremingham or Farningham , where I have treated more largely of them : but when the Male-line of this Family determined in John de Fremingham , Joan his only Sister matched to John Isley Esquire , Son of Isley was found to be his Heir , in the second year of Henry the fourth , and in her Right Roger Isley Son and Heir of this John , entered upon it , and from him the Land here , by a successive Thread of Descent , was wafted down to the Noble , but infortunate Sir Henry Isley , of whom more presently : but another parcel of this Mannor did acknowledge the Signory of Pimpe of Nettlested , and William Pimpe died possest of it , in the year of our Lord 1375. as part of his Knights Fee called Pimps : and in his Line did the Title flow constantly along , until it devolved to Reginald Pimpe Esquire , who about the twelfth year of . Henry the seventh , demised it by private Deed to John Isley Esquire , from whom it came down to his Grand-child Sir Henry Isley , who being entangled too fatally in the ruinous Design of Sir Thomas Wiat , was in the second year of Queen Mary attainted , and his Interest in this Mannor connscated to the Crown , which was granted out of it again that present year to Sir John Baker , Ancestor to Sir John Baker Baronet , who is still entituled to the Propriety Isley had formerly in this place .

Boxley Abby was formerly concerned in some Demeasne likewise here at Stapleherst , as appears by an Inquisition taken in the third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 134. which upon the suppression of that Abby , it was with the Mannor at Boxley relating to that Convent , by Henry the eighth , granted to Sir Thoma . Wiat , who being attainted , in the second year of Queen Mary , it escheated to the Crown , and then it , was by that Princess the same year granted to her Atturney General Sir John Baker , whose Successor Sir John Baker of Sisingherst now enjoyes it , as couched in his Mannor of Stapleherst .

Newsted is a Mannor in this Parish , which was annexed to the free Chappel erected at this place by Hamon de Crevequer , and invested with ample Privileges , which Donation of his , and all the Franchises united to it , was confirmed ( as appears by the first Book of Compositions kept in the Registers Office at Rochester ) in the forty first year of Edward the third : But when the Statute in the first year of Edward the sixth , had overturned all Chauntries , this Mannor was swallowed up in the Revenue of the Crown , and then the abovesaid Prince , by his Royal Concession planted it in the Patrimony of Sir Edward Wotton , Ancestor to Thomas Lord Wotton of Boughton Malherbe , who setled it in Marriage on Katharine-Wotton his eldest Daughter and Co-heir espoused to Henry Lord Stanhop , and she by her Feoffees in Trust hath demised the Fee-simple to Mr. Robert Oliver of Leybourn .

Loveherst is another Mannor in this Parish , was parcel of that Estate , which by its Income supported the Priory of Leeds , and upon the Suppression , was by Henry the eighth granted to Sir John Gage , in the thirty fourth year of his reign , and he in the thirty sixth of that Prince , demised it to Thomas Colepeper Esquire , who not long after alienated it to Thomas Wilford Esquire , from whom about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , it passed away by Sale to Mr. John Baker , in whose Descendants the Title is yet resident .

Engeherst presents it self next to our View , it is now vulgarly called Henherst , in Ages of an higher Ascent Engeherst , for some old Deeds without Date bounding some Land in this Parish of Stapleherst , make it situated juxta Terras Osberti de Hengherst supra Dennam de Engherst , and from this Den or Vally , did that Ancient Family , called Engherst or Hengherst , take the first Extraction of its Name , who bore , as appears by several Seals , for their paternal Armory , Barrie of six peeces , and having continued in the possession of this place for many Descents , at last the Inheritance was transmitted to Henry Hengherst , and he in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth , by his Feoffees in Trust , setles it on his Kinsman John Nash , and in his Family , I find it in the reign of Edward the fourth , and Henry the seventh ; and here for want of clearer Intelligence , I must leap to the reign of Queen Elizabeth , and then the Fee-simple was invested in Roberts , and from this Family , about the latter end of that Princess , it went away by purchase to Moodye , who in our Fathers Memory alienated it to Samuel Ovenden , by whose Daughter and Co-heir Elizabeth Ovenden , it is now come to own the Heirs of her late Husband Mr. Partrich Tindall .

Spilsill-court is the last place of Account in this Parish , it was ( as appears by very Ancient Deeds ) the Residence of a Family of that Name , which before the end of King Edward the second , was crumbled into Decay , and then the Stangraves succeeded in the Possession ; for Robert de Stangrave at his Decease held some Estate at or in Spilsill , in the twelfth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 52. But about the latter end of Edward the third , this Family was likewise mouldered away , and then it came to own the Signory of Maynie , descended from Walter de Meduana or Maynie , a man of that Repute , as appears by the red Book in the Exchecquer , Fol. 84. that he held twenty Knights Fees in this County : but Mayneys situated in Bredgar , was the Ancient Seat of this Name , who having possest for so many Successions and Descents this Seat , did not many years since transplant their Interest in it by Sale to Sharpeigh , by whose Daughter and Heir it is now become the Inheritance of Mr. George Thompson of London .

Swalcliff in the Hundred of Blengate , was given by Eadbald King of Kent , as Thorn the Chronicler of St. Augustins informs me , to the Cloister of St. Mildred , at Minster in Thanett ; and was , when her body was translated , by King Canutus , to the Abby of St. Augustins in Canterbury , brought over along with it , and knit to the Patrimony of that Cloister : and the Monks of that Covent , granted it away to be held in Fee , by a Family which took its Denomination from thence , and were called Swalclive , and they held it the twentieth year of Henry the third , as Testa de Nevill informs me , and paid an auxiliary Contribution for it , at the Marriage of Isabell that Prince's Sister ; but before the end of Edward the first , this Family was expired and then the Family of St. Lawrence was setled in the Possession . Thomas de St. Lawrence held it , as appears by the Book of Aid , kept in the Exchequer , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at making the Black Prince Knight , and dyed possest of it , in the twenty second year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 9. And from him did it descend to his Grandchild Thomas St. Lawrence , who setled it in Marriage with Katharine his Daughter and Heir , matched to Sir William Apulderfield , who determining in Daughters and Coheirs , Elizabeth one of them , espoused to Sir John Phineux , Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , brought it to confesse the Signory of that Family : but , he deceasing without Issue-male , Jane his only Daughter and Sole Inheritrix , being matched to John Roper Esquire , this Mannor became by this Alliance , inoculated into his Patrimony , and was resident in this Name untill the Beginning of King James ; and then it was conveyed to Mr. Benedict Barnham , by one of whose four Daughters and Coheirs , its Right and Title devolved to Soam of Suffolk , who not many years since , alienated his Concernment in it to Perry , who hath lately transmitted it by Sale to Gould .

In the year 946. King Eadred gave Land at Swalclive to Heresigus one of his Servants , and he again gave it to the Abby of St Augustins conditionally , that a place of Sepulture might be reserved for him within their Cloister .

Snave in the Hundreds of Aloes-Bridge , Ham and Newchurch , was as high as I can discover , a Portion or Member of that Patrimony , which confessed the Signory of Haut ; and so continued , untill Joan Daughter and Coheir of Sir William Haut being made the Wife of the unhappy Sir Thomas Wiatt , a man of an unstained , though an unsuccesseful Virtue , this by Female Right became parcel of his Demeasne : but when he and his Patrimony were demolished by that impetuous Gust of Misfortune , which sunk them both into a heap of Ruines , in the second year of Q. Mary , this upon his Conviction of high Treason , being escheated to the Crown , that Princesse in the third year of her Government , passed it away to Sir Henry Sidney , Knight of the Garter , and Lord Deputy of Ireland , whose Successor the Right Honorable Robert Earl of Leicester not many years since conveyed it to Sir George Stonehouse .

Snavewick in this Parish , was anciently wrapped up in the Demeasn , of the Abby of St. Augustins , but being pared off in the general Suppression , by the rough Hand of Henry the eighth ; It was in the thirty fifth year of his reign , granted for Life only , to Sir Walter Henley : but upon his Decease it returned to the Crown , and lay there untill the late King Charls , about the Beginning of his reign , granted it to Mr. Patrick Black a Scotchman , who not long after , granted it in Lease to Sir Edw. Yates of Barkeshire , and conveyed the Fee-simple in Reversion to Mr. Rob. Austin now of Hall-place in Bexley .

Swanscamp in the Hundred of Acstane , hath contracted an eminent Character of Reputation , since Sueno or Swain fixed here his Camp , when he invaded England , to expiate by a plenary Revenge , that Blood , which in so prodigal an Effusion , was by Etheldred let loose from the Veins of his Danish Subjects , universally in this Nation ; and certainly it was this Swain , that erected the Castle here to preserve a Winter Station for his Ships , and though it now lye gasping in its own Rubbish , yet there are yet some Characters and Signatures remaining , which evidence and declare to us , that there was once a Fortresse there , where there is nothing now but dismantled Ruines . The Tradition of the Country is , that , that Valley which interposes between that Hill , which ascends up to Northfleet , and that which winds up to Swanscamp , was once covered with Water , and being locked in on each side with Hills , made a secure Road for Shipping , which invited the Dane to make it a Winter-Station for his Navy : and the same Report will tell you likewise , of Anchors which have been digged up about the utmost Verge of that Mersh , which is contiguous to the Thames , and certainly if we consider the Position of this Valley , which is nothing but a Chain of Mershland , interlaced with a Stream called Ebbs fleet , which swells and sinks with the Flux and Reflux of the adjacent River , and the Dimension of their Ships , then at that Time in use , which were not of any extraordinary Bulk , this Tradition is not improbable .

Near this place , Stigand the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Egelsine Abbot of St. Augustines , assembled the Kentish Men into an Army , pretending it was better to dye like Men in asserting and vindicating their Native Liberties , with . Swords in their Hands , then like Slaves to prostitute themselves to the Insolence of the Conquerour , by a cheap and tame Submission with Halters about their Necks : which had so great an Influence and Impression upon their Spirits , that they resolved their Franchises and themselves should find one Tomb together , rather then they would give up both , to the Sword and Will of an imperious Victor ; and indeed soon after they managed their Stratagems with that Successe , that William Sirnamed the Conquerour , advancing with his Normans into Kent , to reduce Dover-Castle , which was then made good against him , he and his Army dropped into those Ambushes , which the Kentish Inhabitants had strewed for him , where he had indisputably perished , had he not by Charter fortified and confirmed those Immunities , they then contended and strugled for , and which remain unviolated either by any forrain or domestick Eruption even untill this Day .

The Mannor of Swanscamp it self , was , as farre as Record can guide us to discover , the Inheritance of the Montchensies , called in the Latine , Repertory de Monte-Canisio : and Hubert de Montchensey ( as appears by Dooms-day Book ) was the first of that Name of any Eminence , who was Lord of the Fee ; and after him his Son William de Montchensey , by paternal Right held it , and so dyed in Possession of it , in the year 1287 ; from whom it descended to Dionis his Daughter and Heir , and in Relation to her , to her Husband , Hugh de Vere , who became by this Addition of Estate , thus accruing , Baron of Swanscamp , and sat , under that Notion , in the Parliament , which was summoned in the first year of Edward the second : but he dying without Issue , William de Valence Earl of Pembroke , claimed it in Right of his Wife , Daughter and Heir to John de Montchensey , second Brother to William de Montchensey who was Father in Law to Hugh de Vere above-mentioned ; from whom it descended to his Son Aymer de Valence , who dying without Issue , in the seventeenth year of Edward the third , Isabell his Sister matched to Lawrence de Hastings , became his Heir , who in her Right was Earl of Pembroke , and Baron of Swanscamp ; and left it to his Grandchild John de Hastings , Earl of Pembroke , who dying without Issue , in the fourteenth of Richard the second ; in the fifteenth year of that Prince , Reginald Grey , and Richard Talbot in respect of Marriage , were found to be his Heirs , and upon the Partition of the Estate , this was united to the Demeasne of Talbot , in which Family , after it had rested untill the latter end of Henry the sixth , it was conveyed to Sir Thomas Brown of Bechworth Castle , whose Son Sir William Brown , in the twelfth year of Edward the fourth , surrendered them into the hands of Edward the fourth , for the use of his Mother Cicely Dutchesse Dowager of York , upon whose Decease it returned to the Crown , and lay there untill the first year of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was granted to Ralph Weldon Esq ; great Grand-father to Colonel Ralph Weldon the instant Lord of the Fee .

Alcharden alias Combes is another place in this Parish , worthy this Survey . It was , many Hundred years since , the Inheritance of a Family called Cumbe or Combe , who continued resident in the Possession , untill the reign of Edward the fourth , and then it went away from them , by Sale to Swan of Hook-House in Southfleet , in which Family it was fixed , untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Lovelace , who not long after , passed it away to Carter , and he alienated it to Hardres , from whom , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , the Vicissitude of Sale carried it off to Fagge , who in the tenth year of King James , transmitted it by Sale to Hudson , whose Descendant not many years since , demised it by Sale to Mr. Richard Head of Rochester .

Ince-Grice is the last place considerable in Swanscampe . It related before the general suppression to the Priory of Dartford : but being torn off by King Henry the eighth , it was by Edward the sixth , in the fifth of his reign , granted in Fee-Farm to Martin Muriell : but the Fee-simple remained in the Crown , until Queen Elizabeth , in the fifth year of her Rule , passed it away to Edward Darbishire and John Bere , who not long after jointly conveyed it to Jones , who in our Fathers Memory alienated it to Holloway , whose Son and Heir Mr. Thomas Holloway hath lately demised his Interest in it to Captain Edward Brent of Southwarke .

Staple in the Hundred of Eastry , hath two places memorable : First , Crixall which was Anciently written Crickleaddshall , when in Ages of a higher Ascent it confessed the Family of Brockhull for its Owners , which were Lords of it but until the twenty eighth of Edward the first , and then it was setled upon a Daughter : but whether she brought it or not by Marriage to Wadham , which Family I find about the latter end of Edward the third , to have been possest of it , I cannot discover ; and where the Light of Record is dim , I must acquiesce in silence . William Wadhaem , as I trace out by an old Pedigree of Fogg , lived in the reign of Henry the fourth , Henry the fifth , and Henry the sixth , under the Scepter of which Princes he managed the Office of Justice of the Peace for the County of Somerset , and left his Estate here to his Son and Heir Sir Nicholas Wadham , who determined in a Daughter and Heir , matched to Sir William Fogg , by which Alliance this Mannor came to be ingrafted into the Inheritance of that Family , and rested there until the first year of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away by Sale from Sir John Fogg Knight , to Ralph Banister . In Times of a lower Descent , that is , about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , I find it by Court-rols possest by Tucker , who about the latter end of that Princess alienated his Concernment in it to Smith , who in our Fathers Remembrance transplanted the Title by Sale into Doctour Fotherbie Dean of Cantorbury , whose Son Mr. Charles Fotherbie continues now Proprietary of it .

Secondly , Grove-place offers it self up to our Notice , as being the Habitation of a Knightly Family , called Grove , who in old Deeds are sometimes written , at - Grove , and sealed , as appears by the Labells-affixed to their Evidences , with three Escollops upon a Cheveron : In the reign of Henry the sixth , I find it devolved by Descent to Sir John Grove , who was a great Benefactor to the Church of St. Peters in Sandwich , where he lies buried with the Arms above-mentioned upon his Shield : but not long after , this Family determined in a Daughter and Heir , who linked this Seat to the Inheritance of St. Nicholas , who about the latter end of Edward the fourth , conveyed it to Quilter , in which Name it was resident , until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away to Linch , and hath remained ever since incorporated into the Revenue of that Family : so that at present it is come down to Mr. John Linch , a Noble Confessor for the Interest of the Church , and Protestant Religion .

There is a Family in this Parish called Omer , which as appears by old Court-rols , Tombs , Deeds , and other Evidences , have been constantly resident almost four Hundred years .

Seasalter in the Hundred of Whitstaple , did belong to the Priory of Christ-church : but by whom it was given , the Records of that Covent are silent : only I find that it was part of that Revenue which supported their Diet and Table , and likewise I discover that Pope Gregory the ninth , in the tenth year of his Papacy , by his Bull appropriated the Parsonage to the Priory above-mentioned , and likewise was granted for the better improving their Lively-hood and Subsistence . If you will see under what Notion it passed , in the twentieth year of William the Conqueror , Doomesday Book will inform you , that it was valued upon the Terrier at two Carucats of Land , and upon the Appraisment was rated at five pound . This Mannor upon the Resignation of that Estate , which related to the Convent abovesaid , into the Hands of Henry the eighth , was setled by that Prince on the newly erected Dean and Chapiter of Christ-church , and there it remained , until these calamitous Times .

Ellenden in this Parish belonged to the Abby of Feversham , and was ( as the Lieger Book of that Covent informs me ) given to the Monks of that Cloister by John Ellenden , and here it was incorporated and fixed , until the publick Dissolution unhinged , and unrooted it , and planted it in the Crown : and afterwards King Henry the eighth , in the thirty fifth year of his Government granted it to Mr. Thomas Arden , miserably afterwards assassinated by his Wife at Feversham ; and he the same year conveyed it to John Nedeham , from whom it came over to his Son and Heir John Nedeham Gentleman , and he in the thirty second year of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to Mr. Michael Beresford of Westerham , who not long after passed it away to Sir George Newman Doctour of the Civil Law , and Knighted in the sixteenth year of King James : and from him by successive Right , it is now descended to his Son and Heir George Newman of Rochester Esquire .

Seale in the Hundred of Codsheath , was a Mannor which belonged to the Crown until the first year of King John , and then it was passed away by Grant to Baldwin de Betun Earl of Albemard ; and Hawis his Daughter and Heir , by matching with William Mareschall Earl of Pembroke , incorporated it into his Demeasne : but Gilbert Mareschall this mans Successor deceasing without Issue , Roger de Bigod Earl of Norfolk , in Right of Mawde his Mother , who was Sister and Heir General to the abovesaid Gilbert , was setled in the possession of this Mannor , and he in the eleventh year of Edward the first by Gift or Donation transmits it to Otho Lord Grandison , a man certainly of great power in those Times ; for , as it appears , Pat. 4. Edwardi primi , he had a certain Agreement woven . of sundry Articles , and made between Henry the third , and the King of Castile , deposited in his Custody , in the fourth year of Edward the first ; And in the fifth year of that Prince , as appears Pat. 5. in seedulâ , he had the Government of Jersey , assigned to his Care during Life ; After this Family of Grandison went out , which was about the Beginning of Richard the second ( for Thomas de Grandison , dyed possest of Seale , in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , Parte prima Num. 62 ) the noble Family of Brian of Holoway in Devon , was invested in the Possession , and Sir William Brian or Briene , for so he is styled on his Tomb , dyed possest of it in the year 1395 , and lyes buryed in Seale Church , mailed in Armor , with a Huntsmans Horn at his Head : upon which the Conjecture of the Country is , that he was a great Hunter , when the Truth is , it was placed there , to signifie or denote the Tenure of some part of his Land , which was in Cornage . But to return : the next Family which succeeded Brian , in the Inheritance of Seale , was the ancient Family of Fiennes , and this as I find by some Court-rolls , was in the reign of Henry the fourth , and James Fiennes , second Son of William Fiennes Esquire , was , the first of March , in the twenty fifth of Henry the sixth , summoned to the Parliament at Bury , as Baron of Say and Seale : but this place , after this newly atchieved Honor , continued not long in this Name ; for William Lord Say , in the second year of Edward the fourth , passed it away to Geffrey Boleyne , Grand-father to Sir Thomas Boleyne , who was made Knight of the Garter , and Treasurer of the Kings House in the fifteenth , created Viscount Rochford in the seventeenth , and lastly raised to the Earldome of Wiltshire , and Ormond in the twenty first of Henry the eighth : but his infortunate Son George Viscount Rochford , being beheaded and leaving no Issue , it devolved to Queen Elizabeth , in Right of Queen Anne her Mother one of the Sisters and Coheirs , and she in the first year of her reign , passes it by Grant to her Kinsman Henry Cary , whose Grandchild Henry Cary Earl of Dover alienated it by Sale to Richard Sackvill Earl of Dorset , who passed it away in our Fathers Memory to Richard Smith , vulgarly called Dog Smith , and he not many years since deceasing without Issue bequeathed the Fee-simple of it to St Thomas Hospital in Southwarke .

Hall-place in Seale is a second place of Account , It was in the thirty sixth year of Edward the third , as an old Rentall discovers to me ( and farther none of the ancient Evidences do reach ) the Patrimony of Thomas Champneys , and he makes it over in part to Sir William Wroth of Enfield , and he in the second year of Richard the second , alienated all his Right and Interest in it to Thomas Lovell , but some part remained unsold untill the nineteenth of the abovesaid Prince , and then it was wholly invested by Sale from Robert Champneys , in the aforesaid Thomas Lovell , and he by his Feoffees in Trust , as namely John Osborne , John Arnold , Richard Marshall , and John Atsheath , conveyed it in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , to Thomas Theobald or Tebald , and Mawde his Wife , and so by this Purchase , did it become the Inheritance of this Family , and made its aboad here , untill the twenty fourth year of Henry the seventh ; and then John Theobald alienated it to William Porter , which Family it is probable were concerned in it before : for in the tenth year of Edward the fourth , I find John Alphey releases by Deed his right in Hall , to William Porter Esquire ; and from William Porter abovesaid , did the Title slow down in the Chanel of paternal Right , to Mr. Andrew Porter , who concluding in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth , it is now by matching with her , become the Patrimony of Mr. Peter Stowell , Register of the Diocesse of Rochester .

Stidulfe is a third Mannor in Seale , which afforded both Seat and Sirname to a Family so called . Robert de Stidulfe , is mentioned in Deeds without Date to have held this , and much other Land in Seale . In the thirty sixth year of Edward the third , I find , Reginald Stidulfe of Stidulfe , accounts with Thomas Champneis for Land held of his Mannor of Hall . And lastly I discover , that William Stidulfe , about the eleventh year of Henry the sixth , by Sale , conveyed it to William Quintin , whose Son William , changed the Name of Quintin into Oliver , upon what Grounds I have discovered at Leybourn ; and in this Name was this Mannor lodged untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was passed away to Richard Theobald , whose Son John , exchanged it with his Kinsman Stephen Theobald , who dying without Issue-male , left two Coheirs , Katharine matched to Edward Michell , and Margaret wedded to David Polhill , who shared his Inheritance , and this upon the Division of the Estate , augmented the Revenue of Michell , and his Descendant Mr ....... Michell , is now the Heir apparent of it .

Sedingbourn in the Hundred of Milton , hath several places in its confines remarkable , whereof Bayford and Goodneston first claim our Notice , the last of which had a Castle , whose Banks and Ruines are yet visible ; it anciently acknowledged the Family of Nottingham , who likewise in elder Times were possest of Bayford for Proprietaries . Robert de Nottingham flourished in the reign of Edward the first , and dates several of his Deeds in the Beginning of that Prince's Rule , apud Castellum suum de Goodneston . Robert de Nottingham his Successor , was Sheriff of Kent , the forty eighth year of Edward the third , and held his Shriovalty at Bayford in Sedingbourn , in which year he dyed , and was found to have held at his Death , Lands at Sharsted , Pedding in Tenham , a place called Newland , and another called la Herst , Higham in Milsted , Bixle in Tong , now called Bex , and lastly Goodneston and Babford , now named Bayford in this Parish , all which descended to his only Son John Nottingham ; whose only Daughter and Heir Eleanor Nottingham , was matched to Simon Cheyney , second Son of Sir Richard Cheyney of Shurland , who brought all this spreading Revenue , to acknowledge the Signory of this Family , and the Coats of Cheyney and Nottingham , viz. Azure six Lions Argent , a Canton Ermin and Gules , two Pales wavee Argent stand empaled in Milsted-church , in coloured Classe . But this Alliance , though it much enhaunsed by additional improvement the Patrimony of Cheyney , yet could not so strongly entwine the Interest of Bayford and Goodneston with this Name : but that about the latter end of Henry the sixth , they were conveyed away by Sale to Lovelace ; for Richard Lovelace of Queenhith in London , a younger Branch of the Lovelaces of Bethersden , made his Will the first of Aprill 1465 , and there ordained that his Feoffees should make an Estate of his Mannors of Bayford and Goodneston in Sedingbourn , which he had purchased of Cheyney , to John Lovelace his Son and Heir , which accordingly was performed , and he invested in the Possession of them ; and from him did they by Descent devolve to his Crandchild Thomas Lovelace , of Kingsdown , who in the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth passed them away to Mr. Ralph Finch ; from which Family they went away by the same Revolution , almost in our Fathers Memory to Alderman Garret of London , who had Issue Sir John Garret , of the County of Hertford , whose Widow Dowager the Lady ..... Garret by right of Jointure , now enjoys the Profits of both these Mannors .

Chilton is another Mannor in Sedingbourn , which had Owners of this Sirname , who likewise held another Mannor of this Name in Ash , both which places William de Chilton held at his Death , which was in the thirty first of Edward the first : but after his Exit , it did not long confesse the Propriety of this Family ; for about the Beginning of Edward the third , it was demised by Sale to Corbie , and Robert Corbie was possest of it at his Decease , which was in the thirty ninth year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 9. and he had Issue Robert Corbie , whose Sole Daughter and Heir , Joan Corbie espoused Sir Nicholas Wotton , twice Lord Maior of London , by whom this Mannor and much other Land , came by a fruitfull Augmentation , to swell the Inheritance of this Family , yet I find the Interest in Chilton was not solely lodged in Corbie ; for by ancient Deeds I discover that an old Family called Maris was concerned in some part of it likewise . John de Maris held a Knights Fee in Wicheling , and much other Land at Herietsham , the twentieth year of Ed. the third , as likewise the Mannor of Ackmere in St. Mary Crey in Castle-guard of Dover-castle : and his great Grand-child William Maris , was Sheriff of Kent the twenty first year of Henry the sixth , and was Esquire to Henry the fifth , and afterwards to Cardinall Kemp , and lyes enter'd in Preston Church , with so much of the Inscription left , as may instruct the Reader , that his Ashes slumber beneath the Tomb-stone : yet before his Decease he had alienated his share in this Mannor to Nicholas Wotton Esquire , from whom the united Interest of this place came down to Thomas Lord Wotton , who not many years since setled it in Marriage on Katherine his eldest Daughter , matched to Henry Lord Stanhop , Son and Heir to Philip Earl of Chesterfeild lately deceased , who still enjoyes the propriety of it .

In the year 1232. Henry Bishop of Rochester , as Thomas Rudborne a Monk of St. Swithens in Winchester does relate , came on a Sabbath Day with much exultation out of Sedingbourn Church , and desired the people to express their Joy , because on that Day by the efficacious prayers of the Church , Richard the first , formerly King of England , and many others , were ransomed from the Flame and Torment of Purgatory .

In Sedingbourn Church there was a Monument of Sir Richard Lovelace , inlayed richly with Brasse , who was an eminent Souldier in his Time , and Marshal of Calais , under Henry the eighth , with his Pourtraiture affixed in Brass , which the Injuries of Time , and the Impiety of Sacrilegious Mechanicks , have utterly dismantled and defaced .

Selling in the Hundred of Boughton , did in Ages of the highest Discovery , acknowledge the Signory of the Putots , and William de Putot was in Possession of it at his Death , which happened in the thirteenth year of Henry the third . After the Putots the Lords Badelesmer were invested in the possession . Guncelin de Badelesmer was possest of it , in the twenty ninth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 50. and left it with a spatious Inheritance to his Son Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , who having involved himself in a ruinous Combination with some others of the mutinous Nobility against Edward the second , lost both his Life and Estate in that unsuccesful Defection , but this Mannor was restored to his Son , in the second year of King Edward the third , and was known by the Name of Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer : but did not long enjoy his new acquired Inheritance ; for in the twelfth year of the above-mentioned Prince , he died without Issue , and left his Estate to be shared between four Sisters and Co-heirs , whereof Margaret the eldest was espoused to Sir John Tiptoft , and he in her Right entered upon the possession of this place , and died possest of it , in the thirty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. from whom the Title came down to John Tiptoft , created Earl of Worcester , in the year 1450. and invested afterwards with the Office and Dignity of Lord Treasurer and Lord Constable of England : but asserting too eagerly the Cause and Quarrel of the House of Yorke , he was crushed and overwhelmed with that weight , with which the Partisans of the Lancastrian Faction did endevour to sink and oppresse the Supporters of that Family , and was offered up a Victime to the successful Fury of Richard Earl of Warwick , who being an Apostate of the House of Yorke , was the principal Engine upon whom the Designs and Interess of the Lancastrian Party then moved : Upon the untimely Death and attaint of this Earl , which was in the year 1570. this Mannor was annexed to the Revenue of the Crown , and though Edward Tiptoft this mans Son , was the next year after his Fathers unhappy Exit , restored by Edward the fourth , both in Blood and Dignity ; yet I do not discover any Restitution made of Selling ; so that it rested in the Crown , until Edward the sixth , in the fourth year of his reign , granted it to Sir Anthony St. Leger , who immediatly after passed it away to Sir Anthony Sonds of Throuley , one of the Justices of the Peace of this County , and Gentleman of the Bed-chamber to this Prince , and his Father Henry the eighth , from whom it is now come down by Paternal efflux of the Title to Sir George Sonds Knight of the Bath , who is entituled to the present possession of it .

Oven-court in this Parish anciently gave both Seat and Sirname to a Family , which was known by that Denomination ; but whether they were extracted from the Owens of Wales , and contracted this Name of Oven by vulgar Acceptation , no Record does manifest ; certain it is they were , as appears by old Rentals and other Muniments , possessors of this place , as high as the reign of Henry the third .

The next Family which ( after this was worn out ) did step into the possession , was Drilond of Cookes-ditch in Feversham , a Name of generous Extraction ; for in the reign of Edward the third , John the Son of Stephen de Drilond , demises some Land at Crouchfeild in Feversham , by a Deed bearing Date from the twenty fifth year of that Prince , to William de Makenade , and in that Instrument he writes himself Knight . After Drilond was extinguished , which was about the beginning of Edward the fourth , the Foggs became Proprietaries of it , and remained for divers years Lords of the Fee , until at last the alternate Devolution of Purchase brought it to be the Inheritance of Crouch , where it did not long fix , for in the year 1588. Giles Crouch alienated it to Michael Sonds Esquire , afterwards Knighted , from which Family in our Fathers Memory it was conveyed by Sale to Franklin , from whom the same Devolution hath brought it now to Lambe , who holds the instant Signory of it .

Before I passe from Selling , I must inform the Reader , that the greatest Honour which this Town acquired , was , that it was the Cradle of William Selling bred up amongst the Monks of Christ-church , who obtained Licence from the Chapter of that Covent , to travel into Italy , and prosecute his Studies at Bononia , where he arrived to that perfection of Knowledge , that he was advanced to be Prior of Christ-church , and was after sent by Henry the seventh , in whose Eyes his Worth was very visible , as his Embassador to the Pope . Those incomparable Books , which were placed in the Library , which related to the Covent , by his Care and Munificence , amongst which was Tullies invaluable Tractate de Republica , not long after his Death , by an Accidental Fire , found an unhappy Sepulchre in their own Ashes . He died as full of Fame as of Years , in the year of Grace 1494. And hath his Epitaph registred by the industrious Pen of Mr. Somner in his Survey of Canterbury .

Smerden in the Hundreds of Calchill , Blackborne , and Barckley , did Anciently relate to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and was part of that Revenue which did keep up the Grandeur and Magnificence of that Sea , rescuing it from all cheapness and contempt , which induced John then Arch-bishop of Canterbury , this being so eminent a part of the Spiritual Patrimony , to obtain a Grant of a Market to be observed here weekly on the Monday , as appears , Pat. 6. Edwardi tertii Num. 47. But the principal place , which was alwayes of secular Interess within this Parish , is Romden , which was the Patrimony of an Ancient Family , called Hengherst , and in more modern Times Henherst , who were entituled to large Demeasnes at Woodchurch , Stapleherst , Yalding , and other places in this County ; but made no long aboad here at Romden , for William Son of Osbert de Hengherst , so he cals himself in his Deed without Date , demised it to John de Calch , and in this Family it continued until the latter end of Richard the second , and who after Calch succeeded in the Inheritance , because I can collect no farther Knowledge from original Evidences ; I confess I am ignorant , so that I am forced to leap over divers Kings reigns into that of King Henry the eighth , and then in the twenty fourth year of that Prince , I find that John the Son of Stephen Rogers alienates it by Sale to Stephen Drayner , and it is probable Rogers purchased it of Norton , which Family , as appears by the Feudaries Book , held much Land here at Smerden , and at or near Romden : But to return ; In Drayner the Interest of this place was fixed , until the seventeenth of Queen Elizabeth , and then William Drayner passed it away by Sale to Sir Roger Manwood , and he in the eighteenth year of that Princess , alienates it again to Martin James Esquire , Remembrancer of the Exchecquer , and from him by the Devolution of successive and paternal Right , it is now come down to acknowledge the Propriety of Mr. .... James .

Snergate in the Hundred of Aloe bridge celebrates the Memory of an Ancient Family styled Alarar . Gervas Alarar was Captain and Admiral of the Fleet of Ships set forth and furnished by the Cinque-ports , in the fourteenth year of Edward the first , and Gervas Alarar was his Grand-child , whose Widow Agnes Alarar was in possession of it at her Death , which was in the forty second year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 1. But before the end of Henry the fourth , this Family was shrunk into an Expiration , and then Walter Moile , who was a Judge in the reign of Henry the sixth , succeeded in the Possession , and he by a Fine , levied in the thirtieth year of Henry the sixth , demises it to Hugh Brent , from whom about the latter end of Edward the fourth , it was conveyed to Cheyney , and in this Name it was fixed , until Henry Lord Cheyney , in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to Henry Nevill Lord Aburgavenny , who in the twenty ninth year of Queen Elizabeth , dying without Issue-male ; Mary Nevill was found to be his Sole Inheritrix , and she by matching with Sir Thomas Vane knit this Mannor to his Patrimony : and his Son Francis Vane created Earl of Westmerland , in the twenty second of King James , alienated it in our Fathers Memory to Jackman , who not long after sold it to Sir Edward Henden , one of the Barons of the Exchecquer , who upon his Decease gave it to his Nephew Sir John Henden , whose Son and Heir Edward Henden Esquire , now enjoyes the Signory of it .

Smeth in the Hundred of Bircholt , hath in the Limits of it Scots-hall which is now and hath been for divers Descents the Inheritance of eminent Gentlemen of that Sirname , whom I dare aver , upon probable Grounds were originally called Balioll. William Balioll , second Brother to Alexander de Balioll , frequently writ his Name William de Balioll le Scot , and it is probable , that upon the Tragedy of John Earl of Atholl , who was made prisoner by Edward the first , and barbarously executed , in the year 1307. ( whilst he endevoured more nobly then successfully to defend the gasping Liberty of Scotland , against the Eruptions of that Prince ; ) this Family to decline the Fury of that Monarch , who was a man of violent passions , altered the Name of Balioll , to that of their Extraction and Country , and assumed for the future the Name of Scot. That the Sirname of this Family was originally Balioll , I farther upon these Reasons assert . First , the ancient Arms of Balioll Colledge in Oxford , which was founded by John Balioll , and dedicated to St. Katharine , was a Katharin-Wheele , being still part of the paternal Coat of this Family . Secondly , David de Strabogie , who was Son and Heir to the infortunate Earl abovesaid , astonished with an Example of so much Terror , altered his Name from Balioll to Strabogie , which was a Signory which accrued to him in Right of his Wife , who was Daughter and Heir to John Comin Earl of Badzenoth and Strabogie , and by this Name King Edward the second , omitting that of Balioll , restored Chilham-castle to him for Life , in the fifteenth year of his reign . Thirdly , the Earls of Bucleugh , and the Barons of Burley in Scotland , who derive themselves originally from Balioll , are known at this instant by no other Sirname ; but Scot , and bear , with some inconsiderable Difference , those very Arms which are at present the paternal Coat of this Family of Scots-hall . Having thus traced out the Name , I shall now represent a Scale of those eminent Persons , who have either directly or collaterally been extracted from Scots-hall . Sir William Scot , who was knighted the tenth of Edward the third , was Lord Chief Justice , and Knight Marshal of England , in the reign of that Prince . Sir Robert Scot was Lieutenant of the Tower , in the year 1424. Sir John Scot was Comptroller of the House , one of the Privy Councel to Edward the fourth , and Marshal of Calais . Thomas Scot who was first Bishop of Rochester , next of Lincolne , Provost of Beverley , Arch-bishop of York , Lord Chancellor of England , and Privy Councellor to King Edward the fourth , altered his Name from Scot to Rotheram , as being the place of his Education and Nativity ; but , it is probable , originally issued out from this Family . Sir William Scot , who was Son to Sir John above-mentioned , was Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports . Sir John Scot his Son , was knighted by the Prince of Castile , for signal Service performed by him , against the Duke of Gueldres . Sir Reginald Scot was Captain of the Castle of Callis . Sir Thomas Scot was Commander in Chief of the Kentish Forces , who assembled upon the plains by Northbourn , to oppose the Spanish Invasion , in the year 1588. All of which were either directly or collaterally Predecessors ( being of the same Family ) to Edward Scot , now Proprietary of Scots-hall Esquire , who was Son and Heir of Sir Edward Scot , who was made Knight of the Bath , at the Coronation of K. Charles .

Thevegate is a second Mannor in this Parish , which was in elder Times , the Inheritance of Gentlemen , of no mean Account in this Track . Robert de Passeley or Passelew , ( for they are promiscuously so written ) was Treasurer of England , under Peter de Rivallis , in the reign of Henry the third , as Mat. Paris in the Life of that Prince does record . Edmund de Passeley , was with Edward the second , at Borough-Bridge in the seventeenth year , as the Pipe-roll of that Time , discovers ; and probably was instrumental in the Defeat , given there to the Nobility then in Arms against that Prince ; and from him this Mannor did descend to John Passeley Esquire , who in the reign of Edward the fourth , determined in Elizabeth his sole Heir , matched to Reginald Pimp Esquire , who likewise had the Fate to conclude in a Female Inheritrix called Ann , who was wedded to Sir John Scot , of Scots-hall , and Shee united Thevegate , to the Revenue of that Family ; and from him is the Right of it by Descent transportted to his Successor Edward Scot of Scots-hall , Esquire .

Smeth had the Grant of a Market procured to it by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the tenth year of Edward the third ,

Shepebourn in the Hundred of Wrotham , was the Patrimony of an ancient Family called Bavent , whose principal Estate lay in Sussex and Surrey . Adam de Bavent , in the twelfth year of Edward the first , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Shepbourn , and in the thirteenth year of that Prince's reign , had as appears Pat. 13. Edwardi primi , Memb. 28. a Grant of a Market weekly to this place , to be held on the Monday , and a Fair for three Days Space , at the Feast of St. Giles ; and this Adam de Bavent or else his Son , was one of those eminent Kentish Gentlemen , who was embarked with Edward the first , in his Expedition into Scotland , and was one of those who were created Bannerets at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his reign . Roger de Bavent , was summoned in the fourteenth year of Edward the second , to sit in Parliamennt as Baron ; After whom I find no more mention of this Family , as Possessors of this Mannor : for it is probable , the Religion and muffled Perswasion of those Times , had so warped the Piety and Devotion of this Family , that they setled it on the Priory of Leeds : for by an old Rental of that Covent , I find it wrapped up in their Demeasn , in the reign of Edward the third , and remained parcel of their Income , until the general Shipwrack in the reign of Henry the eighth ; and then it was in the thirty sixth year of that Prince , granted to Sir Ralph Vane , and Anthony Tustham Esquire , who not long after having passed away his Interest in it , to Sir Ralph Vane , it hath continued ever since , to acknowledge the absolute Signory of this Family so that the right of it now rests in Sir Henry Vane , Son and Heir to Sir Henry Vane Secretary of Estate to his late Majesty .

Fairlane is an eminent Seat in this Parish , which likewise did confesse the Signory of the Family of Bavent ; but before the latter end of Edw. the third , they had abandoned the Possession of it , and then it came to confesse the Signory of Colepepers , who remained Lords of the Fee , untill the latter end of Henry the fourth ; and then it was transmitted by Sale to Chown ; in which Family after the Propriety had been constantly resident , untill that Age which almost was circumscribed within the Verge of our Remembrance , Sir George Chown the last of this Name at this place , desiring to contract his Revenue solely within the Confines of Sussex , alienated his Estate here to Sir Henry Vane , Comptroller of his late Majestie 's Houshould , and principal Secretary of Estate , who having much beautified and adorned the ancient Fabrick with new Additions , upon his late Decease , bequeathed it to be enjoyed by his Lady Dowager .

Stelling in the Hundred of Lovingborough , was with Wadenhall ( which lyes partly in this Parish , and partly in Petham ) parcell of the Inheritance of the illustrious Family of Haut ; and William de Haut had Stelling and Wadenhall in the first year of Ed. the first , and this above-mentioned William founded a Chappel at Wadenhall , and dedicated it to St. Edmund the Saxon King of the East Angles , and in this Family these Mannors continued untill the latter end of the reign of H. the sixth , and then Will . Haut , lineally extracted from the above-said William , conveyed Stelling to Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham : and this being forseited to the Crown , upon the Attainder of his Grandchild Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , this lay enwrapped in the royal Revenue , untill Queen Mary , in the first year of her reign , granted it with much other Land to Edward Lord Clinton , who about the last year of that Princesse , alienated it to Mr. Henry Herdson , whose Grandchild Mr. Francis Herdson , about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away to Mr. John Herdson his Uncle , who dying without Issue , disposed of it by Will to his Nephew Sir Basill Dixwell of Terlingham in Folkstone ; from whom by descendant Devolution , it is now come down to his Heir General Mr. Basill Dixwell of Broom in Barham . But Wadenhall remained in the Name of Haut , untill by the Steps of several Descents , it was wafted along to Sir William Haut , one of whose two Daughters and Coheirs called Elizabeth , being wedded to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury , brought it to acknowledge the Interest of that Family ; and he having exchanged it with Edward the sixth , it confessed the Signory of the Crown , untill Queen Elizabeth , in the forty second year of her reign , granted it to Sir John Sotherton , Baron of her Exchequer , whose Heir , in the memory of these Times , gave up his Right in it by the Fatality of Sale , to Mr. Benjamin Pere of Canterbury .

The Advowson of the two Parsonages , or Rectories of Stelling and Vpper Hardres , were granted to the Priory of Tunbridge , in the twenty sixth year of Edward the third , Pat. 3. part 2. Memb. 3.

Selling in the Hundred of Street , hath several places in it which cannot be declined without some Memorial : Willmington and Somervill , are the first that occurre , and they gave Seat , and one of them Sirname , to a Family of Repute in that Age , because I find they had Land in other places in the County . Roger de Wilmington , held the Possession of them at his Death , which was in the eleventh year of Edward the third , and left his Estate here and elsewhere , to be shared between his four Daughters and Coheirs , matched to Ordmere , Bromming , Brockhull and St. Laurence ; but upon the Division of the Estate , these accrued to St. Laurence , and in Right of paternal Devolution , John St. Laurence , Son of Thomas St. Laurence , held these at his Decease , which was in the tenth year of Richard the second , and from him their right devolved to his Son Thomas St. Laurence , whose Sole Daughter and Heir Katharine , brought them to be the Inheritance of Sir William Apulderfield ; who about the latter end of Henry the sixth , passed them away to Ashburnham and Till : and the first of those , having wholly setled his Right in them by Sale in Till , they rested in this Family , until the reign of Henry the eighth , and then Peter Heyman Esquire , having wedded the sole Inheritrix of Till , they were transplanted into the Patrimony of that Family ; and from him the Propriety descended to his great Grandchild my worthy Friend Sir Henry Heyman Baronet , lately deceased .

Haringe is a second place of Consideration : it was , as high as any Clew of Record can lead us , the Possession of the Gurneys . Hugh de Gurney , who is in the Register of those who entered England , with William the Norman , held it under his Scepter . In Ages almost of the next Step or Descent , the Sharsteds had it ; and Robert de Sharsted , who flourished under Edward the first , Edward the second , and dyed in the eighth year of Edward the third , was possest of it at his Decease ; but this Name was suddenly worn out , for in the Time subsequent to this , Henry Brockhull of Brockhull in Saltwood enjoyed it , who likewise had some Interest in Wilmington and Somervill , which his Successor sold to Ashburnham ; and here the Propriety made its aboad , untill the latter end of Henry the sixth , and then it was conveyed to Inglethorp ; and to the Demeasne of this Name it was linked , untill the Beginning of Henry the seventh ; and then it was wafted over by Sale to Morton ; and here the Title lodged untill our Grand-fathers memory ; and then it was alienated to Willonghbie ; and Sir Francis Willoughbie , sold his Concernment in it to Ralph Heyman Esquire ; from whom it came over to his Son and Heir Sir Peter Heyman , who some years since upon the Marriage of his second Son Peter Heyman , setled it on him , whom yet it owns for , Proprietary .

Hodiford is the last place of any Estimate : In elder Times a Family was setled here which borrowed its Sirname , as it did its Residence , from this Mansion ; for John Hodiford or Hodinorth , was Lord of the Demeasne : but when this Name departed from this place , the Cardens were the next in order , who were Possessors of the Fee ; from whom by the Vicissitude of Sale , it was transmitted to Cobbe , where the Title had not long been lodged , but it was by the like Devolution , conveyed by James Cobbe the last of the Name who enjoyed it , to Thomas Godfrey Esquire ; a Person to whom by several Engagements both of Learning and Friendship , I stand now obliged .

Shelvich in the Hundred of Feversham , was formerly the Patrimony of Atleeze , a Family of no contemptible Value in this Circuit , who layd the Foundation of a House near the Leas , and from its Situation extracted their Sirname : but the greatest Honor which accrued to this House in elder Times , was , that it was the Cradle of Sir Richard Atleeze , who was Sheriff of Kent in the reign of Edward the third , and several times a Member or Burgesse of those Parliaments , which assembled in that Age : but dying without Issue , Marcellus Atleeze , his only Brother became his Heir , but he not long after made his Exit , in two Daughters and Coheirs , whereof Lucy the eldest was matched to John Norton Esquire , and Cicely the youngest , was wedded to Valentine Barret of Perry-court : but Norton upon the Division of the Estate , was in his Wifes Right , entituled to this Mannor ; and in this Family , after the Title had for many discents resided , it was by an ever Thread of Succession , guided down to Sir Thomas Norton of Milton ; who not many years since , passed it away to Sir Richard Sonds , originally extracted from an ancient Family , which about the reign of Henry the third , had their Habitation at Sonds-place at Darkin in Surrey , whose Son and Heir Sir George Sonds , Knight of the Bath , by Discent from him , claims the Interest and Signory of it , and hath upon the old Foundation of Leeze-Court , erected a Pile so set out with all the cunning and Pomp of Magnificence , that it is scarcely to be out-rivalled by a Fabrick of that Bulk , in any part of the English Nation . Sir Richard Atleeze , lyes entombed in Shelvich Church , under a fair Gravestone , with his Portraicture in Brasse annexed , as likewise that of his Lady , as fairly insculped , with this Epitaph affixed to both their Figures . Hic jacet Dominus Ricardus Atleese Miles , ac Domina Dionisia uxor ejus , qui quidem Ricardus obiit Anno Dom. 1394.

Coperhams-Sole in this Parish , for several Centuries of years , hath confessed the Belks to have been its Proprietaries : who it is probable extracted their Name out of Denmark , where the Name is yet spreading , and the Family noble and numerous . Stephen de Belk is mentioned in Testa de Nevill , a Book kept in the Exchequer , to have paid respective Aid for Land which he held in this Track , at the Marriage of Isabell Sister to Henry the third , in the twentieth year of that Prince's reign , which is enough to justifie the Antiquity of this Family in this Track .

Shepeards Forstall was for many Descents the possessionof a Family called Ruck , one of whom lies entombed at Rye , and was an eminent Person , in the reign of Henry the eighth , being Bow-bearer to that Prince , and bore for his Coat Armour , as it appears affixed to his Grave-stone , Sables a plain Crosse Argent between four Flower de Lis Or. The last of this Name which held this place , was Nicholas Rucks , who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , dying without Issue , gave it to his Nephew Mr. Nicholas Oliver , who hath lately passed it away by Sale to the Colledge of Alsoules in Oxford .

Lords is the last place of Account in Shelvich : in the reign of Edward the second , and Edward the third , it had Owners of that Sirname : but ever since the latter part of Richard the second , it hath constantly acknowledged the Family of Giles , until this present , to have been its successive proprietaries . One of this Family , called Alexander Giles , was Steward to the Abbot of Lesnes , in the reign of Edward the third , and I have seen a Release under his Hand and Seal , given to one John Walden of Erith , in the twenty fifth of the abovesaid Prince , for some Services due from that Person of the Covent abovesaid .

Sevington in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge , was , in Ages of as high as any Record can step to , the Barrie's , a Family of great Antiquity in this Track . Sir Robert de Barrie is in the Register of those , who were engaged in Ireland , under Henry the second , where he was the first , as Mr. Camden reports , which man'd and brought the Hawk to hand ; and grew up to that Repute , as he was called by the Irish Barriemore , or the great Barrie . William de Barrie , this mans Successor , was one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae , for this County , in the Time of King John , and lived at the Moat in this Parish , where many of his Successors , who were Lievtenants of Dover-castle , and Conservators of the Peace in Kent , had their Residence : the last of whom was Robert Barrie , whose Female Heir brought this Mannor to Radcliff , and he not many years since conveyed the Moat to Alcock , by whose Daughter and Heir it is now united to the Demeasne of Bois .

Sevenoke is like a Fountain which streams into several places of Note , which we cannot passe by without some Consideration . The first is Blackhall , which was the possession of a Family called Totihurst : the first whom I find possest of it was William de Totihurst , and he flourished here , as appears by the ancient Court-rols , a great part of the reign of Edward the third , and Richard the second . The next whom I find by the same Evidences setled in the Inheritance , is Thomas Totihurst , and he held it in the reign of Henry the fifth , and Henry the sixth , and had Issue Robert Totihurst , who was , as appears by an Inscription upon his Tomb , Servant to Cardinal Bourchier , and died possest of this Mannor , in the year 1512. and transmitted it to his Son Thomas Totihurst Esquire , Justice of Peace of this County , who about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , alienated it to Sir ...... Boswell Grand-father to Sir Leonard Boswell , who dying without Issue , his Sister the Lady ...... Boswell , Widow of Sir William Boswell , as Heir General to her Brother , is now entered upon it .

Brabourne is the second place of Account . The first whom I find possest it , was Baldwin de Betun Earl of Albemarle . Falcatius de Brent , who so vigorously asserted the Cause and Quarrel of King John against his Barons , and afterwards merited very much of his Son Henry the third , at the Battle of Lincolne , where a considerable part of those Forces which Lewis the Dolphin of France had transported into England , to support the Confederacie of the Seditious Barons , was dissipated and discomfited . But afterwards , all National Animosities being charmed into Slumber by a general Peace , he desiring still to improve the Flame of War since from that he expected both Heat and Light , seised on the Castle of Bedford , which was not wrung from him without the Expence of much Blood and Treasure : to expiate which Crime , his Estate here and else where , was in the fifth year of Henry the third , forfeited to the Crown , as being the Price of so great an Insolence : And then the abovesaid Monarch granted it wholly to Baldwin de Betun Earl of Albemarle : and Hawis his Daughter and Co-heir , brought it to her Husband William Mareschall Earl of Pembroke : but Gilbert Mareschall this mans Successor , dying without Issue , Roger de Bigod Earl of Norfolk ; in Right of Mawde his Mother , who was his Sister and Heir , entered upon it , and he , in the eleventh year of Edward the first , gives it to Otho Lord Grandison . After this Family was worn out , I find by an ancient Court-roll , one Walter de Pevenley or Pemley , possest of it , in the reign of Edward the third , and he it is possible erected the House , which in old Deeds is written Pevenley or Pemley-court . But , before the beginning of Henry the sixth , this Family was extinguished and gone , and then the Ashe's were the succeeding Proprietaries , a Family which before were Lords of much Land in this Track , and in ancient Deeds were written de Fraxino , from their Habitation near some place planted with those Trees ; and it is probable derived their Descent from Thomas de Esse , who was one of the Recognitores Magnae Assisae , in the fourth year of King John , as appears by the Pipe-rols of that Time : and certainly to this Name did a considerable part of the Fabrick of the House owe its first Original , as appears by the Coat in divers of the Windows , videlicet , Azure three Cheverons Argent . In fine , after this Seat and Mannor had for many years been resident in this Family , it was about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , alienated to Sir ...... Boswell , whose Grand-child dying without Issue , his Sister the Lady Margaret Boswell , is now become the Heir General of this place .

Rumpsted and in very old Evidences written Rumpshot , was the Inheritance of a Family , which was known by that Sirname . It is superfluous to inform the World how many , by old Deeds , are represented to have been possessors of this place , amongst whom Sir William de Rumpsted is most eminent , who flourished here , in the reign of Edward the third , and , as the constant and successive Tradition of the Inhabitants of this Parish is , was Foster-father to William de Sevenoke , who was found a desolate and forlorn Orphan in the hollow Body of an Oake , and received both Reception and Education from the Charity and Benevolence of the above-mentioned Person : In whose Lineage the propriety of this place did not long after settle ; for by an old Court-roll , I find it in the reign of Henry the sixth , in the Tenure of Nisell : but this Family not long after determining in a Female Heir , she by matching with Bere , brought it to acknowledge it self to be of the Interest of this Family , but staid not long in the Name ; for about the beginning of Henry the eighth , it was made by purchase the possession of Peckham , from whom not many years after , by the same fatality it went away to Bedell . Nicholas Bedell , in the third and fourth of Philip and Mary , demised it to John Stacy of Hollenden , and John Stacy , in the fourth and fifth of Philip and Mary , conveyes it to Richard Lone , and his Successor Mr. Richard Lone hath very lately by Sale transmitted his Interest here to Thomas Lambert , formerly of West-Combe in Greenwich Esquire .

Knoll is the last place of Account in Sevenoke : It had , in Times of elder Inscription , the same Owners with Brabourne , and Seale , not far distant , as namely , Falcatius de brent , Baldwin de Betun Earl of Albemarle , William Mareschall Earl of Pembroke , and Roger de Bigod Earl of Norfolk , who in the eleventh year of Edward the first , granted it with Seale , and much other Land , which devolved to him in Right of Mawde his Mother , who was Sister and Heir to her Brother Gilbert le Mareschall Earl of Pembroke , to Otho de Grandison , and in his Descendants did it continue until the beginning of Richard the second , and then it was conveyed by Sir Thomas Grandison to Geffrey de Say ; yet I do not find that the possession of this place was entirely planted in Grandison , for an Inquisition taken after the Death of Reginald de Cobham , in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 62. Parte primâ , represents him to have had some share or concernment in it ; yet how ever it were thus broken into parcels , the Inheritance of this Mannor , was wholly , after this , placed in Geffrey de Say , as appears by some Court-rols , which commence from the reign of Richard the second : but he determining in Daughters and Co-heirs , Joan one of them upon the Division of his Estate , brought this as an Addition to the Patrimony of her Husband Sir William Fiennes : and in this Family , when the possession had had a Respite , until the reign of Edward the fourth , it was by Sir William Fiennes passed away by Sale to Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury , who added much of Pompe and Magnificence , by a new Supplement or Superstructure to the ancient Pile or Fabrick , and dying bequeathed it to the See of Canterbury , as a convenient Pallace for his Successors : but when William Warham Arch-bishop of Canterbury , in the reign of Henry the eighth , saw that the Grandeur of this Mansion was looked upon both with an Eye of Emulation and Envy , by the Laity of those Times , he to allay that Murmure and Regret , in the twelfth year of the abovesaid Prince , exchanged it with the Crown : and here it rested , until Edward the sixth , in the second year of his reign , granted it to Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset , Protector of the Realm , in the Minority of that Prince . Who being convicted of Felony , in the fourth year of that King , it escheated back to the Crown : and then it was in that year , by a new Grant , setled on John Dudley Duke of Northumberland : but he being intoxicated with the Fumes of Ambition , broke out into such treasonable and seditious practises , against the Right and Title of Queen Mary , that they could not be explated , but with the Losse of his Life , and Forfeiture of his Estate : and then this Seat upon his unsuccessful Exit , returning to the Crown , it was by the abovesaid Princess granted to her Cousin Reginald Poole Cardinal , for his Life , and a year after , as he should by Testament dispose . After his Death , it reverts again to the Crown , and then Queen Elizabeth , in the third year of her reign , grants it to Robert Dudley Earl of Leiceister , and he the same year resigning it back into the Hands of his Soveraign , it was by Lease made over to John Lennard of Chevening Esquire : but the Fee-simple was by Royal Concession invested , in the seventh year of Queen Elizabeth , in Thomas Sackvill Lord Buckhurst , and his Grand-child Richard Sackvill Earl of Dorset , almost in our Remembrance , conveyed the Fee-simple ( reserving it yet still in Lease to himself and his Heirs , paying such a Rent-charge , as is there specified , for ninety and nine years ) to Mr. Richard Smith , vulgarly called Dog-Smith : who upon his Decease , not many years since , setled the propriety of it for ever upon St. Thomas Hospital in Southwarke .

The Honour of Sevenoke was granted by Queen Elizabeth , to her Kinsman Henry Carey Lord Hunsdon , in the first year of her reign , from whom it devolved to his Grand-child Henry Carey Earl of Dover : he passed it away by Sale to Richard Sackvill Earl of Dorset , who alienated his Interest in it to Mr. Richard Smith , who upon his above-mentioned Decease , gave it with Knoll , which both were exchanged , and so united to the Royal Demeasne by William Warham , to the Hospital of St. Thomas in Southwarke .

Kepington is the last place considerable in this Parish , which was wrapt up in that Demeasne , which owned the Signory of the Lords Cobham of Cobham , as appears by an Inquisition taken , in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 62. Parte secundâ , and after a Decursion of several Descents , came by the Heir General of this Family , to be possest by Brook , whose Descendant , about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it to Burges , and by his Sister and Heir it came over to Hanger , who alienated it to Cowper , and he not long since to Mr. Thomas Farnaby .

Spelherst in the Hundreds of Somerden , Codsheath , and Watchling stone , hath many places in it of Repute . First , Grome-bridge which is a Chappel of Ease belonging to Spelherst , and is dedicated to St. John : it is in old Registers written Gromen-bridge , and Gormen-bridge from some Saxon , who was anciently Owner of it , as Godmanchester in Huntingtonshire , upon the same Account , in old Orthography , bears the Name of Gormonchester , a Saxon having been possessor of it of that Denomination . This Mannor in elder Times confessed the Dominion and Title of the Noble Family of Cobham : Henry de Cobham , and Joan his Wife , obtained a Market to be observed weekly on the Thursday , and a Fair three Dayes yearly , videlicet , the Vigil , the Day of St. John Port-latine , and the Day after , as is manifest from an old Charter , which I have seen , whose Date commences from the fourteenth year of Edward the first , the Market and Fair were kept , where now the new Chappel is erected by the piety and expence of that Worthy Patriot John Packer Esquire , late one of the Clerks of the Privy Seal . After the Cobhams were departed from the possession of this place , the Lords Clinton became , by purchase , Proprietaries of it : and John de Clinton , who was often summoned to fit as Baron in Parliament , in the Time of Richard the second , died possest of it , in the twenty second year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. from whom the Title flowed in this Family , until the latter end of Henry the fourth , and then it was passed away to Waller of Lamberherst , where , and in Sussex they were before Masters of very ample Possessions ; for Thomas Waller , and Katharine his Wife , granted to Thomas Waller of Lamberherst his Father , Richard Brenchley and John Brook , all his Lands , Messuages , and Tenements , in the Villages and Parishes of Rotherfeild , Witheham , Wadhurst ; Lamberhurst , Little Horsted , Alfricheston , and Bucksted , together with the moiety of the Advouson of the Church of Little Horsted , as appears , Claus . 11. Richardi secundi in Dorso Memb. 35. Richard Waller Esquire , was Sheriff of Kent , the sixteenth year of Henry the sixth , and kept his Shrievalty at Grome-bridge , and was before Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex , in the twelfth year of that Prince . This is that renowned Souldier , that in the Time of Henry the fifth , took Charles Duke of Orleans , General of the French Army Prisoner at the Battle of Agin-court , brought him over into England , and held him in honorable Restraint or Custody at Grome-bridge , which a Manuscript in the Heralds-Office notes to be twenty four years : in the Time of which his Recess , he newly erected the House at Grome-bridge upon the old Foundation , and was a Benefactor to the repair of Spelherst Church , where his Arms remain in Stone-work over the Church-porch : but , lest such a signal peece of Service might remain entombed in the Sepulchre of unthankful forgetfulness , the Prince to convey the Memory of this glorious Action to Posterity , assigned to this Richard Waller , and his Heirs for ever , an additional Crest , videlicet , the Arms or Escocheon of France , hanging by a Labell on an Oake , with this Motto affixed , Hae Fructus Virtutis . This Richard was great Grand-father to William Waller of Grome-bridge Esquire , Sheriff of Kent , the twenty second of Henry the eighth , and he was Father to Sir Walter Waller , who was Grand-father to Sir William Waller now possessor of Winchester-castle , and Father of Sir Thomas Waller : which Sir Thomas , almost in our Fathers Memory , passed away Grome-bridge to Thomas Sackville Earl of Donset , whose Grand-child Edward Earl of Dorset , not many years since conveyed it to John Packer Esquire , Father to ...... Packer Esquire , now possessor of this place .

There was a Chauntry founded at Grome-bridge , in the thirty eighth year of Henry the third , by William Russell , and Hawis his Wife , as appears by the first Book of Compositions in Registro Roffensi .

Hollands in this Parish next cals for a View : It was , in Ages of a very high Date , the Patrimony of a Noble Family of that Sirname , and are in the Chartularies of this Parish , recorded to have been great Benefactors to the Church of Spelherst , and were allied to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent , who matched with Joan Daughter of Edmund of Woodstock : but , before the beginning of Henry the sixth , this Family was worn out , and vanished , and then the Wallers stepped into the possession , in which Family the Right of it did many years reside , until it was in our Fathers Memory alienated to Thomas Sackville Earl of Dorset , from whose Successor it passed away by Sale to Lindsey , and from him , not many years since , the like Revolution carried it off to Caldicot .

Ferbies is another Seat of no vulgar Consideration in Spelherst , if we consider that it gave Sirname to a Family of important Account in this Track , who had their ancient Residence at this place , and sealed as high as Edward the third , with a Fesse Ermin between three Goats heads erased , in Labells affixed to their Deeds , which was the Paternal Coat-Armour of John de Fereby ( for so is the Name written in ancient Muniments ) who flourished , in the reign of Edward the second , and Edward the third . But this mans Posterity being desirous to transplant themselves to Pauls Crey , where they had before purchased Lands , called - Hokinden of Dynley , about the latter end of Richard the second , conveyed that Estate they had here , about the beginning of Henry the sixth , to Waller of Grome-bridge , and continued for many years folded up in the Revenue of that Family , until very lately it varied its Possessor , being by purchase made the Inheritance of Alderman Chiverton of London .

Rust-hall in this Parish , had likewise Proprietaries of that Sirname , one of which Family called John Rust , was Maior of Feversham , in the raign of Henry the sixth , and there lyes entombed , and about that Age. this Family surrendered their Concernment here by Sale to Waller , in which Name it resided , untill the forty second year of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was conveyed by Richard Waller Esquire , to Mr. George Stacy ; who not long after passed it away to Bing , in which Family the Possession is at this instant fixed .

Ewherst is the last place which must be mentioned , and indeed it is worth our Recording , because this and Read in Marden , was the ancient Patrimony of Read , many Discents before . Sir Robert Read Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , in the reign of Henry the seventh , transplanted himself to Chiddingstone , by matching with the Coheir of Alphew , yet still remained Possessor of this place , which he transmitted with Katharine one of his four Daughters and Coheirs , matched with Sir Thomas Willoughbie , and after the Title had been knit to this Family , by the Links of some Discents , it was by Sale not long since transferred to Knight .

Siberts-would vulgarly called Shepeards-well , lies in the Hundred of Bewsborough , and hath two places in it worth our Notice . The first is West-court , which was given ( as the Records of Christ-church testifie ) to Alfric the Abbot , by King Etheldred in the year 944 , and conveyed not long after by Scotlandus the Abbot his Successor , to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and hath been ever since as a Limbe or Branch of that See .

Upton-court is a second place of Repute . Several old datelesse Deeds discover to us , that it was in elder Times the Patrimony of a Family called Vpton : from whom it is probable , that the Vptons of Feversham , who for many years have flourished there under a fair Estimate of Antiquity , were originally descended : but before the end of Edward the third , this Family was crumbled away at this place , and then the Goldsburghs or Goldsboroughs , were invested in the Possession , and remained Masters of this Seat , untill the Beginning of Henry the seventh , and then this Name began to moulder away into Decay and Oblivion , and surrendred their Interest here by Sale to Guldford , in which Name it found an aboad , untill the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was conveyed to John Bois Esquire , Ancestor to John Bois of Fredvill Esq ; now Lord and Proprietary of it .

Swink-field in the Hundred of Folkstone , was originally , and as high as any Evidence will leave us any Track or Print to walk by to a Discovery , the Possession of the noble Family of Crioll , who held here two little Manors called Bouington alias Bointon , and Northcourt , which were both given by Nicholas Keriell or Crioll , in the third year of Richard the second , to one John Phineux Esquire , for that Protection and Shelter , which he by a Magnanimous and vigorous Assistance supplied him with , even to the saving of his Life , at the Battle of Polcteirs , and being thus fastned to this Family , the Interest of both these places , continued intermingled with their Inheritance , untill they came , by successive Discent , to be possest by John Phineux Esquire , extracted from a Son by a second Wife of Sir Jo. Phineux the Judge , who determined in a Daughter and Heir , matched to Sir John Smith , who in her right was invested in the Propriety of both these places , from whom they are now come down to his Grandchild Philip Smith Viscount Strangford .

There was a Praeceptory here at Swingfield , which belonged to the Knights Hospitallers , of the Nature , Capacity , and Condition of which I have spoken before at Little-Peckham , which upon the Suppression of their Order here in England , was by Henry the eighth , in the thirty third of his reign , granted to Sir Anthony Aucher ; who not long after passed it away to Palmer , descended from an ancient Family of that Sirname in Sussex , so that it is now the Inheritance of Sir Henry Palmer of Wingham Baronet .

In the twentieth year of Edward the third , John Monins held Land here , and paid respective Aid for it , as the Book of Aid informs me , at making the Black Prince Knight . I should not have mentioned this Record , but to shew , that this noble and eminent Family , ( I am bold to call them so , since the above-mentioned John Monins , is styled in the former Record , Esquire ) can put in its claim to as high and illustrious Descent , as the most of the Families of this County can justly and primitively entitle themselves to .

Snodland in the Hundred of Lark-field , was given to the Priory of St. Andrews in Rochester , by Egbert King of the West-Saxons , in the year 838 , and is an Appendage to Halling , being setled by Henry the eighth , upon the Suppression of the former Covent , on the Dean and Chapiter of Rochester .

The Courtlodge by the Church , was , as high as I can by the Guide and Direction of Evidence trace out , the Palmers , who , as appears by very ancient Deeds , sealed with a Cheveron between three Palmers Scrips . William le Palmer , who was Owner both of this and Rye-huose in Otford , flourished here in the reign of Edward the third , and stood depicted in the Church-Window , with the above-recited Arms on his Tabard or Surcoat , untill some rude hand defaced the Signature . Another of this Name , lies entombed in Snodland Church , whose Epitaph alluding to his Name , is registred by Weaver , amongst his printed Monuments , of the Diocesse of Rochester ; and after this Name was extinguished at this place , the Leeds's were the next Family , who by purchase entituled themselves to the Possession of it and I remember amongst some Church-notes of this County , collected by the eminent Robert Glover Esquire , there is mention of one Will . Leeds , who lyes enter'd in Snodland Church , with his Armes viz , A Fessee between three Eagles , affixed to his Graves-stone : but it seems the Date , Pourtraicture , and Coat , being insculped in Brasse , were by sacrilegious Handstorn off : for now there is no appearance of them , nor of this Family neither , who not many years since , dispossessed themselves of their Interest in this place , and by Sale gave it up to Whitfield of Canterbury .

There is a second Seat in Snodland called Holoway-court , and in the Book of Aid , mention is of one Henry de Holoway that held it in elder Times , about the Beginning of Henry the third : but upon a serious perusal of the evidences , and Muniments , which did relate to this Mansion , I found it , as high as they reached , that is , to the reign of Edward the third , to be the Inheritance of the Tilghmans : and several very old Panes of Glasse are coloured with that Coat of Arms , which the Tilghmans are entered with , in the last Visitation of Kent , and in this Name was the Possession for many Descents permanent , till some forty years since , or more , it was by Sale conveyed to Clotworthy , extracted from the Clotworthies of Devon , who by Testamentary Donation , transmitted the Interest of it to his Sisters Son Mr. Thomas Williams .

Stone in the Hundred of Feversham , was , when it flourished most , but a Chappel of Ease to Tenham ; but it is grown up to some Repute , since Simon de Langton , Arch-deacon of the Church of Canterbury , Brother to Stephen de Langton , the Arch-bishop , gave to the Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury , in the year 1227 , omnes Decimas Majores & Minores , de Copton & Eylwarton , infra Limites Capellae de Stone . Now this Copton and Eylwarton were Mannors , anciently given to the Monks of Canterbury , by Edmund Son of Q. Edgiva , ad victum corum for the supply of Diet in the year of our Lord 980.

Wildemersh in this Village deserves a Remembrance ; in that it was part of the Patrimony of the ancient Family of Donett ; for it was in the enjoyment of John Donett at his Death , which was in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third . But not long did it fixe there ; for J●mes Donet his Successor , dyed without Issue-male , and left only a Daughter and Heir called Margery , who being married to Iohn St. Leger , this in her right went into the Possession of that Family ; from whom the ordinary Revolution of Sale , conveyed it to Richard Dryland , from which Name by the like Chanel , the Inheritance slowed into Sir Anthony Aucher , Predecessour to Sir Anthony Aucher of Bourne : and here for ought I yet can collect , is the Fee-simple of it setled .

Stone in the Hundred of Acstane , had formerly a Castle , which acknowledged the Northwoods for its founders , as their Arms insculped in the old Stone-work now dismantled did easily demonstrate . In the twentieth year of Edward the third , Iohn de Northwood , paid respective Aid at making the Black Prince Knight , for his Mannor and Castle , and although it now lye wrapped up in its own Ruines , yet the Shell or Skeleton of it , within which Sir Richard Wiltshire laid the Foundation of that Frabrick now extant represents to the eye some symptoms of its former strength and magnificence . From Northwood , it passed away by Sale to Butivant corruptly called Bonivant , and from this Family a Fatalitie like the former carried it down to Cholmley : from him by as quick a Current the Fee simple was transported to Chapman , whose Widow Elizabeth Chapman , being re-married to Jo. Preston , he in her Right as I find by some Court-rolls was possest of it ; but her Son Thomas Chapman about the latter end of Henry the eighth concluded in Anne his Sole Heir who by matching with Mr. William Carew devolved the right on his Family ; from whom , in right of that Alliance it is now descended to his Successor Mr. Henry Carew .

Littlebroke in this Parish did first own a Family of that Sirname , as is evident from ancient Dateless Deeds , wherein Laurence at Broke is re-presented to have been Possessor of it ; but this Family before the end of Edward the third , had deferred the Possession , and transplanted it by Sale into Northword ; and John Northwood about the latter end of Richard the second , passed it away to Roger Apylton ; which Roger lies buried ( as the Date on his Tomb informs us ) in Crayford Church , in the year 1400. And from him does Sir Henry Apylton Knight and Baronet , not onely claim his Descent , but his Interest in this Mannor also .

The Mannor of Cotton is embraced within the Precincts of Stone likewise : It was , as high as any private or publick Record can conduct us on to a Discovery , the Possession of Killingworth of Hackstaple , at Sutton at Hone , and in this Family was the Title by a successive Derivation of several Descents preserved , until the entrance of Henry the eighth , and then it was conveyed by George Killingworth Esquire , to Sir Richard Wiltshire ; from which Family not long after , the Propriety of this place was , by a Fate proportionate to this , planted in Apylton , Ancestor to Sir Henry Apylton Knight and Baronet , now Lord of the Fee .

Stoke in the Hundred of Hoo , was given to the Priory of St. Andrews in Rochester , by Eadbert K. of Kent , in the year 762. And upon the suppression being surrendred to the Crown , it was by Henry the eighth setled on his newly erected Dean and Chapiter of Rochester . But here are two places which are of secular Interest . The first is Malmains , which yielded both Seat and Sirname to a Family which fell under that Denomination ; for I find John de Malmains Son of Henry died possest of it , in the tenth year of Edward the second , and in this Family it remained until the latter end of Richard the second , and then it was conveyed to Iden , a Family of generous Rank in elder Times about Rolvenden , and here it lay couched in the Demeasn of this Family until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away to Jo. Park , who dying without Issue Male , setled it on Elizabeth his Sole Heir matched to John Roper Esquire ; from whom by paternal succession the Inheritance is come down to his Descendant Christopher Roper Baron of Tenham . Tuders is the second , which anciently confessed a Family of that Appellation to be its original Possessors , whose Name was in all probability primitively Theodore ; for I have seen an ancient Roll of Kentish Arms , wherein Tuder of Stoke bears the same Coat with Owen Theodore vulgarly called Tuder , viz. Azure a Cheveron between three Helmets Argent : But to proceed : When this Family dislodged from this place , for want of Intelligence I confess I know not , onely in the Reign of Henry the eighth I find it possest by Woodward , in which Family the Title remained invested until the entrance of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to Wilkins , from whom by a quick Alienation it went away , and resigned up its Interest by Sale to Bright , and in the Revenue of his Descendant is the Proprietie of it yet wrapped up .

Stourmouth in the Hundred of Blengate , was a piece of that large Revenue , which owned the Signory of Hussey . In the fifty fifth year of Henry the third , Henry le Hussey obtained a Charter of Free-Warren , to his Mannor of Stourmouth , and his Grandchild Henry le Hussey died possest of it in the sixth year of Edward the third , but , alass , neither the Nobleness of the Name , nor wideness of the Franchise , could keep this Family from departing from this place ; for about the latter end of Henry the fourth , I find it in the Tenure of the eminent Family of Apulderfield ; but setled not long here ; for Sir William Apulderfield about the middle of Edward the fourth concluded in Elizabeth Apulderfield , who was his Sole Daughter and Heir , who by matching with Sir Jo. Phineux Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , in the Reign of Henry the seventh made it his Demeasn : but the Title of this place did not long fix here ; for , he dying without Issue Male , Jane his only Daughter , became his only Heir , who by espousing of Jo. Roper Esq ; of St. Dunstans in Canterbury , linked it to the Demeasn of this Family ; from whom in a continued Current of descent the Proprietie of it is now flowed down to William Roper , a Cadet or younger Branch of this Stem .

Shorne in the Hundred of Shamell , was , as high as the Reign of K. John , the Patrimony of the Noble Family of Nevil . Jordanus and in some old Deeds written Jollanus de Nevil held the Mannor of Shorne as appears by the Pipe-Roll of that year , and John de Nevil was his Son and Heir , who held this Mannor in the thirtieth year of Henry the third , but after him I can track no farther Mention of this Family at this place ; for in the fifty fourth of Henry the third , as appears by the Pipe-roll of that year , I discover Roger de Norwood to be Lord of the Fee , this was that Roger de Norwood , who disdaining to have his Lands held in that Lazy and sluggish Tenure of Gavelkind , changed it into the more active one of Knights Service in the fourteenth year of Henry the third , still reserving to himself by that Licence by which he obtained a Grant of the first , to reserve the ancient Rent whereby his Lands held even in the Time of the Conquerour : and he in the thirteenth year of Edward the first , died possest of this Mannor and all its Perquisites at Oisterland in Cliff and other places , and left it to his Son and Heir Sir John de Norwood , who together with his eldest Son Sir John de Norwood accompanied that triumphant Prince Edward the first in his Victorious Design undertaken against the Scots in the twenty eighth of his Reign . The Mannor of Shorn holding by this Tenure , viz. to carry a White Banner forty Dayes together at their own Charges , whensoever the King should commence a War in Scotland , as appears by an Inquisition taken after the Death of Roger de Norwood in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third ; Rot. Esc . Num. 23. Parte secundâ . And this was customary not onely in England , but elsewhere ; for Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honour observes out of Prelusius's his Discourses upon the State of Poland , in the year 1530 , Albert Marquess of Brandenburg and Mr. of the Teutonick or Dutch Order in Prussia , receives his Investiture into that Dutchy , per Vexilli Traditionem , by the Delivery of a Banner from the Hands of Sigismund K. of Poland , and his Brother . George at his being enstated in that Signory by this Ceremony , was suo & Fratrum Nomine Vexillum contingere , in his own , and the Name of his Brother , to place his Hands upon the Banner : and when the above-mentioned Banner was delivered to an Heir who had not his Title and Right free from the Claim of an ambiguous and perplexed Competition , he was onely admitted ad Contactum Extremitatum Vexilli ejusdem to touch the utmost or extream parts of this Banner . The Tenure which was annexed to this Investiture was this , to assist the K. of Poland with an hundred Horse , whensoever he should personally advance into the Field against an enemie .

But to return : John de Norwood was the last of this Name whom I find setled in the Inheritance of Shorne and he enjoyed it at his Decease , which was in the second year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 35. But before the latter end of the Reign of that Prince , it was removed from the possession of Norwood , and by Sale plac'd in the Noble and ancient Family of Savage of Bobbing Court ; but not long after Sir Arnold Savage determining in Eleanor his Sole Inheritrix , who was first wedded to Sir Reginald Cobham , by whom she had no Issue ; and after to William Clifford Esquire , she by this Alliance united it to the patrimony of this last Family , and here it lay involved until the beginning of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was passed away by George Clifford to Nicholas Lewson Esquire , Grand-father to Sir Richard Lewson of the County of Stafford , who desiring to circumscribe and collect his scattered Interest which lay dispersed in several parcels in this County , into the closer circumference of Staffordshire ; alienated this Mannor , almost in our Remembrance with all its Adjuncts , at Oisterland in Cliff and other perquisites and out-Skirts to Mr. Woodier of Rochester , in whose Lineage and Name the Title of it at this instant lies treasured up .

Ockington in this Parish was a Limb that made up the Body of that Revenue which anciently did swell into so vast a Bulk and Dimension in this Track , and acknowledged for proprietaries the Noble Family of Cobham , as appears by an Inquisition taken in the sixth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 45. where Stephen de Cobham was then found to have been possest of it at his Death ; and from him was the Title in a successive stream of Descent wasted down to the Reign of Hen. the seventh , and then it was by Sale transplanted into Sir Henry Wiat , where it flourished being supported with the Sap and Verdure of so Noble a Family , until the fourth year of Edward the sixth , and at that Time it was by Sale torn off from this Name , for then Sir Thomas Wiat alienated it to Sir Anthony St. Leger , and he passed it away to George Brooke Lord Cobham about the seventh year of Edward the si●●● , whose great Grand-child Sir William brooke Knight of the Bath , dying in the year 1643 , without Issue Male it cescended to Sir John Brooke restored to the Barony of Cobham by the last King in the year 1644 , as being Reversioner in entail .

Roundal though now shrunk into neglected Ruines , was in elder Times the first Seat of the noble Family of Cobham , from whence upon its Decay they were transplanted to Cobham Hall , and was the Cradle of Men very eminent in their respective Generations of whom take this brief prospect . * * Ex veteri Rotulo penes Ed. Dering Militem & Bar. dejunctum . Henry de Cobham is enrolled in the List of those Kentish Gentlemen who were concerned with Richard the first at the Siege of Acon . * * Rotulus Pipae de Scutagio Wallia . Reginald de Cobham accompanied Henry the third in his expedition against the Welch in the forty second year of his Reign . Sir Henry , Sir Reginald , Sir Stephen , and Sir Henry de Cobham who lies buried here at Shorne , are in the Catalogue of those Kentish Knights , who supported the Cause and Quarrel of Edward the first , at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland , in the twenty eighth year of his Reign . Jo. de Cobham was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the Reign of Edw. the third . Richard de Cobham was made Knight Banneret by Edward the third , for his exemplary Service performed against the Scots , as appears Pat. Edw. tertii Parte secunda Memb. 22. This Mannor escheating to the Crown upon the Attainder of Henry Lord Cobham in the second year of K. James , it was by that Prince granted to Lodowick Duke of Lenox , who upon his Decease bequeathed it to his Nephew James Duke of Lenox , who being lately dead , Esme Duke of Lenox his onely Son is now heir apparent of it .

Stowting lies in a Hundred which borrows its Name from this place . In the reign of K. Iohn , sundry ancient Records which have an Aspect upon that Prince's Time inform us that Stephen de Haringod was Lord of this Mannor , and had the Grant of a Market to be held weekly at this place on the Tuesday , and a Fair to be observed yearly for the space of two dayes , viz. the Vigil and Day of Assumption of the Virgin Mary , as is manifest , Cart. 16. Joan. Num. 43. and died possest of it in the forty first of Henry the third . But after this mans exit , I can track no more of this Stem or Stock , to have been proprietaries of it . The next Family which was successively entituled to the possession was the noble Family of Burghurst or Burwash , the first of which , whom by some old Deeds I discover to have held this place , was Bartholomew de Burwash , who received the Order of Knighthood by Edward the first ; for his Noble and generous Assistance given to that Prince at the Seige of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth of his Reign , and he had Issue Stephen de Burwash , who obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannors Stowting , Sifleston , Ditton , and Burwash in Chiddington , in the first year of Edward the third , and died possest of this Mannor and Hundred in the third year of that Prince's Government , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 41. and from him did it descend to his Grand-child Bartholomew Lord Burwash who in the forty third of the abovesaid Monarch conveyed this Mannor with much other Land to Sir Walter de Paveley Knight of the Garter , in which Family the possession was constant , but until the beginnning of Richard the second , and then it was passed away by Sale to Trivet ; from whom the same Fatalitie about the fifteenth year of that Prince brought it over to Sir Lewis Clifford , and by Descent this devolving to his Successor Lewis Clifford , he in the twelfth year of Hen. the sixth , conveyed it by a Fine then levied to William Wenlock , who not long after alienated his Right in it to Richard beauchampe Baron of Aburgavenny , who had Issue Richard Beauchampe in whom the Male Line determined , so that Elizabeth his onely Daughter and Heir being matched to Edward Nevill , brought this Mannor and the Barony of Aburgavenny to be united to that Family , and continued linked to the Demeasn of this Name , until it was by Descent brought down to Henry Nevill , Baron Aburgavenny , who about the latter end of Henry the eighth , passed it away to Sir Thomas Moile , whose Daughter and Coheir Amy Moile united it to the Inheritance of her Husband Sir Thomas Kempe , whose Son Sir Thomas Kempe setled it on his Brother Reginald Kempe , and from him it descended to his onely Son Mr. Thomas Kempe , who dying without Issue , it came to be shared by his two Sisters and Co heirs matched to Denny and Clerk , and they not many years since by mutual Concurrence and Assent , alienated their joynt Interest here to Jenkins of Aythorne .

Stockbery in the Hundred of Milton celebrates the Memory of the illustrious Family of Crioll , who lived here in Reputation amongst the eminent Gentry of this County , and in the Recital of their Possessions in this Parish , their Mansion was called a Castle , and divers of their old Deeds bore Teste at their Castle of Stockbery . Sir Nicholas de Crioll was the first that brought this Family into Repute and Eminence ; for he was one of those who accompanied Edward the first in the twenty eighth year of his Reign in his fortunate Attempt upon Scotland , when after a pertinacious Siege he reduced the Castle of Carlaverock , a piece in the repute of those Times , held almost inexpugnable ; and for his signal Service in that Expedition , was created Knight Banneret , and died possest of this place in the thirty first of Edward the first : and in this Name and Family did the Title of this place by an uninterrupted Current of Descent , stream down to Sir Thomas Crioll Knight of the Garter , eminent for several Services performed under the Scepter of Henry the sixth , who being infortunately beheaded at the second battle of St. Albans , whilst he endeavoured to support the Title of the House of York in the thirty eighth year of Henry the sixth determined in Daughters and Co-heirs , one of which was wedded to Edward Bourchier who cast this Mannor into his possession , and he in her Right died seised of it in the fourteenth year of Henry the seventh ; but after this it was not long constant to the Interest of this Family ; for in the twenty third year of the abovesaid Prince , Robert Tate died seised of it , by right of purchase . And in the Descendants of this Name was the Possession involved , by a long Series of years , until those Times which almost fell under our Cognizance , and then this Mannor was conveyed to Sir Edward Duke of Cosington in Alre sord ; whose Lady Dowager , in Right of Joynture , hath now the enjoyment of it .

The Mannor of Gillested in this Parish , did formerly relate to the noble Family of Savage , and was wrapped up in those Lands to which John de Savage Grand-child to Rafe de Savage , who was with Richard the first at the Siege of Acon , obtained a Charter of Free-Warren in the twenty third year of Edward the first : and Arnold Savage Son of Sir Thomas Savage died possest of it in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , and left it to his Son Sir Arnold Savage , whose Daughter and Heir Elizabeth Savage was first matched to Reginald Cobham , by whom she had no Issue , and after to William Clifford Esquire , second Brother to Robert Clifford , who was often Knight of the Shire in the Reign of Henry the fourth , whose Posterity in Right of this Alliance were possest of this place , until the latter end of Hen. the eighth , and then it was altenated to Knight , Ancestor to Mr. William Knight , upon whose Decease his sole Daughter and Heir Mrs. Frances Buck , Widow of Mr. Peter Buck of Rochester lately deceased , is now entred upon the Possession of it .

Cowsted is another place of Account in Stockbery : It was in Times of an elder Inscription written Godsted , as giving Seat , and yielding a Sirname to a Family so called . William de Codested alias Godsted held it at his Death , which was in the twenty seventh year of Edward the first , and had Issue William de Codested , who was likewise in possession of it at his Death , which was in the Enjoyment of it in the ninteenth year of Issue Richard de Codested , who was in the Enjoyment of it in the ninteenth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. which was the time of his Decease : and from him it descended to John de Codested styled by the vulgar John de Cowsted , who bare for his Arms Gules three Leopards heads Argent , which was assumed by Higham , who about the beginning of Richard the second , matched with the Sole Heir of this Family , and in this Name it remained , until the beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was partly by Sale , partly by marching with a Daughter of this Family enstated upon Petit , in which Family the Title of this place was fixed and permanent , until those Times which came within the precincts of our Grandfathers Remembrance devolved it to O borne : but Edward O borne , not many years since , determining in Mary his Sole Heir , she by espousing of William Fagge , hath knit it to that Revenue , which now confesses his Descendants for proprietaries .

Stodmersh in the Hundred of Downhamford , was innobled anciently , by being parcel of the Revenue of the Saxon Kings of Kent , and rested in their Demeasne until Lotharius , one of the Kentish Kings , made Godd his Heir , and as Thorne records in his Annals , setled it on the Abby of St. Augustins , and remained successively interwoven with the Patrimony of that Convent , until the publick Suppression , in the reign of Henry the eighth , rent it away : and then that Prince , in the thirty seventh year of his reign , granted it to John Masters , and he upon his Decease setled it on his Son Mr. Thomas Masters , and he dying without Issue-male , left it to his Daughter and Co-heir Elizabeth Masters , who by matching with Mr. William Courthop knit the propriety of it to his Inneritance , and he had Issue Mr. Thomas Courthop , who , in Right of this Alliance , is now entituled to the instant possession of it .

Stroude in the Hundred of Shamell , was granted in the eleventh year of Henry the third , by the same Prince , Magistro & Fratribus Militiae Templi Solomonis , that is , to the Knights Temples , who had here an eminent Mansion , which from its being of their possession , hath ever since acquired the Name of the Mannor of Temple . After the suppression of this rich and magnificent Order , in the second year of Edward the second , upon what pretences , and colourable Insinuations , I have discovered in my Description of Temple Ewell , this Mannor was united to the Crown . And though a principal part of the Lands , which related to this Order in this County , before their Dissolution , was by that Act of Parliament , called , Statutum de Terris Templariorum , setled on the Knights Hospilaters ; yet this was lodged in the Royal Revenue , until the twelfth year of Edward the third , and then he conferred it by Grant on Mary Countess of Pembroke , who about six years after bestowed it on the Abbess and Sisters Minorites of the profession of St. Clare , at the Abby of Denney in Cambridgeshire , to which place she had removed them from Waterbeach , where they were first planted by her . And here did this Mannor reside , until another Tempest , more fatal and ruinous then the former , arose in the reign of Henry the eight , which like a Whirl-winde ravished it away from the Revenue of the Church , and then that Monarch in the thirty second year of his reign , made it the propriety of Edward Elrington Esquire . But it seems the Title of Church-Land is stuck so thick with the Curses of the first Donors , that it becomes like a Moath received into a Garment , which like an ingrateful Guest , commonly destroyes the House which entertained it , and so it was here ; for , in the same year it was granted , the abovesaid Person alienated it to George Brook Lord Cobham , whose infortunate Grandchild Henry Lord Cobham , was enwrapped in that obscure and mysterious Design of Sir Walter Rawleigh , which was muffled up in such a complicated Veile of that magical Mist called Reason of State , and other Intrigues of wrested policy , that it remains dark and perplexed , until this Day ; indeed the Crimes of this unhappy Gentleman , were by the mercenary Tongues of some Lawyers , who were in pension to the Interest of those , who then steared the Helm of State , and who like some Trumpeters , knew how to sell their Breath to the best advantage , aggravated and multiplied to that Bulk and Dimension , that he was convicted of high Treason , in the beginning of King James , and though he lost not his Life , he did that of his Estate , here at Stroude , which was by the abovesaid Prince conferred by Grant on Robert Cecill Earl of Salisbury , principal Secretary of Estate , in Respect he had matched with Elizabeth Brook , Sister to this infortunate Lord , from whom it descended to his Son , the Right Honorable William Cecill , Captain of the Band of Pensioners to his late Majesty , and Earl of Salisbury , who in our Fathers Memory , passed it away to Mr. Bernard Hide Esquire , one of the Commissioners of the Custome-houes , to the late King Charles , and he upon his Decease gave it to his third Son Mr. John Hide , who not many years since alienated it to James Duke of Lenox , from whom after some brief possession , it was conveyed to Mr. Blague , whose Son Mr. Izaack Blague by Descendant Right is now entituled to the Propriety of it .

The Chappel of St. Nicholas in Stroud , was by Gilbert Glanvill Bishop of Rochester , with the Consent of the Prior of Rochestor , William Arch-deacon of the same See , and likewise of the Parish Priest of Frendsbury ( within the Precincts of whose Village , Church , and Congregation , it was in elder Times circumscribed ) erected , and improved into a Mother-church , and that for these two Reasons . First , it was divided by too great Distance from the Church of Frendsbury : And secondly , the Inhabitants began to multiply to that Number , that it was probable that in Decursion of Time , the above recited Church would be in no Capacity for the Reception of so great a Conflux : and therefore it was judged convenient by the Authority of that Age , to establish Stroud into a Parish , independent to Frendsbury , and assign to it not only a Church-yard , for the Sepulture of their Dead , but likewise a Competency of Tiths ( exceptâ solummodo Decimatione Bladi , that is , I conjecture , the Tithery of Grasse only excepted ) for the Support of the Incumbent for the Time being , as the Records of the Church of Rochester inform us .

Shorham in the Hundred of Cods-heath , hath several places within the Verge of it , which may deserve our Notice . The first is Preston , which was the Seat of an eminent Family , called Buckland , who bore for their Cognisance Argent an Eagle Sables beaked and ungued , Or. Alan de Buckland , was a noted Person in the Time of King John , and being Lievtenant of Dover-castle , that Prince directs a Command to him , and William de Brewer , who was joyned in Commission with him , to surrender Dover-castle to Hubert de Burgh for his Service . Sir Thomas de Buckland of this place had Buckland in Maidstone , and Buckland likewise in Ludsdown , and flourished in the reign of Edward the third , and in several Deeds , to which he was witness , subscribes himself Miles . In brief , after this Family had continued possessors of this Mansion , until the latter end of Henry the sixth , it devolved to Thomas Buckland , who dying without Issue-male , Alice his only Daughter and Heir , by matching with Thomas Polhill of Polhill-street in Detling , cast it into the Inheritance of that Family , from whom it came down to Mr. ...... Polhill , who being not many years since deceased , his Widow Mrs. ...... Polhill , is now in the enjoyment of it .

Palstres alias Planars and Sepham , are two ancient Seats , likewise situated within the Confines of Shoreham , and had both Owners of that Sirname . William de Planar , as appears by Deeds without Date held the first , and so did John de Planar , in the reign of Edward the first , and died possest of it , in the forty seventh year of that Prince's reign , and in this Family did it continue , until the beginning of Henry the sixth , and then it was conveyed to Sepham of Sepham , an eminent Family in this Parish , who bore for their Coat-Armour , Argent three Cinque Foils pierced Sables , and were descended from William de Sepham , who died possest of this place , in the fifteen year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 12. and having continued Lords of both these Mannors , of one by Descent , and of the other by purchase , until the latter end of Henry the seventh , Mr. John Sepham , who had in the fifth year of that Prince , made an acknowledgment for them to the then Arch-bishop of Canterbury , of whom it seems they both held , passed away Sepham to William Martin , and Palstres to Cobbe , in which Families after they had remained , until the latter end of Henry the eighth , they were both demised to Mr. Francis Sandbach , by whose Sole Heir Alice Sandbach , they came to be the possession of David Polhill , Ancestor to Mr. David Polhill , who upon the late Death of his Grand-father Mr. David Polhill is invested in the Tenure of them .

Vielston now by vulgar Acceptation of the Name , called Vilson , is another Seat of eminent Account in Shoreham . It primitively gave Seat and Sirname to a Family which radically was as deeply planted in Antiquity , as any Family which then flourished on this part of the County , some of the old Evidences , now in the Hands of my Cozen Mr. Thomas Petley , reach as high as the Government of the reign of Henry the third , and then Hamon de Vielston , demises several parcels of Land to Sepham of Sepham , Timberden of Timberden Farm in this Parish likewise , and several others of obscurer Account , whose names are too tedious to recite , by Deeds not circumscribed with any Date , which argues him to be a Man in that Age illustrious , both for Descent and Demeasn . In Times which approached neerer to ours , John de Vielston , who paid respective Aid at making the Black Prince Knight , for his Mannor of Vielston , was eminent and was Sheriff of Kent , in the sixteenth , seventeenth , eighteenth , nineteenth , and twentieth years of Edward the third ; and he left Issue John Vielston , who deceasing without Issue , John Ross his Sisters Son , about the latter end of Richard the second , became his Heir , and he had Issue John Ross , who dyed about the latter end of Henry the sixth , without any Posterity , so that he bequeathed it to his Kinsman John Berd ; who in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth , sold it to John Palmer ; from whom it went away by Sale in the eighteenth year of the above-mentioned Prince , to Richard Page , where it made its aboad , till the nineteenth year of H. the seventh ; and then Edmund Page this Mans Son , cast it by Sale into the Inheritance of Richard Wood , who in the fourth yeer of Henry the Eighth , alienates the Fee-simple to Robert Blague , and he in the sixth yeer of that Prince demises it to William Petley of Halsted , and he upon his decease bequeaths it to his second Son Mr. Thomas Petley , from whom in a direct Line is my Cosin Mr. Thomas Petley descended , in whom ( by original derivation from him ) the Interess and Right of this ancient Seat is at this instant invested .

The Castle of Shorham , was , if not built by , yet certainly very anciently in the Possession of the Family of Aldham , of Aldham St. Cleres in Kemsing , one of which Name was Castellan of this place , in the eighth year of Henry the third , and was Ancestor to Sir Thomas de Aldham , who flourished in the reign of Edward the second , and Edward the third , in whom the Male-line ended , so that his three Daughters matched to Francis St. Clere , Martin de Peckham , and John de Novoburgo or Newborough of Newborough in the County of Dorset , became his Coheirs , and this Castle upon the Distinction of his Estate into parcels , was annexed to the Demeasn of Newborough ; in which Family , after the Title had as in a constant Chanel flowed untill the reign of Henry the eighth , it was diverted by Sale into Polhill , in which Family and Name , the Propriety hath ever since , untill this instant , been fixed and permanent .

Southfleet in the Hundred of Axstone , did belong to the Priory of St. Andrews in Rochester , and was given to that Covent by Hamo de Heath , in the year of our Lord 1346 , which was not long before his Decease , and I find by an old Manuscript which represents to us the Liberties and Franchises which were setled upon this Cloister , that the Prior had by Prescription a Charter of Free-warren , to his Mannor of Southsleer : yet though it were fortified with this Priviledge , Hook in Southfleet , hath been for some Centuries of years , the Seat of the Swans who in the Reign of Richard the second , as appears by their own Deeds writ Gen-men . it could not be secure from that Tempest which arose in the reign of Heury the eighth ; which like a Whirlwind ravished it away from the Patrimony of the Church , and lodged it in the Revenue of the Crown , where it dwelt untill the thirty seventh year of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was by Concession from that Princesse , passed away to William Peter of Writtle Esquire , who was Son to Sir William Peter , Secretary of Estate to King Edward the sixth , Q. Mary , and Q. Elizabeth ; and he immediately after alienated it to Alderman Garret of London , whose Successor in our Fathers Remembrance , conveyed it by Sale to Sir William Sidley of Scadbery , from whom it is now come down by a Chain of Descent to his Grand-child Sir Charles Sydley Baronet , the present Lord of the Fee .

Pole vulgarly called Poole , is another Mannor in Southfleet , And was in elder Times the Inheritance of a Family called Berese , for I find by a fine levyed in the thirty seventh year of Henry the third , that Richard de Berese , fells this Mannor under the Notion of a Carucate of Land to Reginald de Cobham of Roundall in Shorne ; and from him did it by a continued Thread of Succession , devolve to John Cobham Esquire , in whom the Male-line of that Name ended , and he dyed seised of it in the ninth year of Henry the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 10. And lett it to Joan his Sole Inheritrix , who , by Reginald Braybrook her third and last Husband , had Issue Joan her only Daughter and Heir , who brought this Mannor and a liberal Revenue besides , to her Husband Thomas Brook of the County of Somerset Esquire , Grand-father to Thomas Lord Brook , who about the Beginning of Henry the seventh , passed it away to Sir Henry Wiat , one of the Privy Councel to that Monarch ; from whom it descended to his noble but infortunate Grandchild Sir Tho. Wiat ; who in the second year of Q. Mary , forfeited this and his Life together ; so that from thenceforth , it was clasped up in the Income of the Crown , untill Queen Elizabeth , in the twenty fifth year of her reign , restored it to his Widow the Lady Joan Wiatt , and George Wiat Esquire his Son and Heir , father to Sir Francis Wiat , who upon his Decease , left it to his Widow Dowager the Lady ..... Wiatt , who is now in possession of it .

Scadbery in Southfleet hath been for some Centuries of years , the possession of the Family of Sidleys , who were in Times of very high Ascent , seated in Romney Mersh ; for there are some Lands there , which at this Day they call by the Name of Sidleys , and Sidleys Mersh . In this Mansion there is a Room , whose sides are covered with Wainscot , and on one of the Plates or Pains , which appears to be exceeding ancient , the Arms of Sidley are carved in embost-work , viz , A Fesse wavee between three Goats heads erased , and these Letters underneath , W. and S. with the year of our Lord affixed in Figures , whose Date commences from 1337. And although the Structure of this House , hath like a Snail shifted its ancient Shell , yet in all its Mutations , and Vicissitudes , which must certainly have very much disordered the Fabrick , when it was cast into a new mould and frame , and ravelled and discomposed the Materials : yet this Panel of Wainscot , hath been , like a Relique , religiously preserved , to justifie not only the Antiquity of this Seat , but of the Family of Sydley also , which is presumed to have been resident at this place , before the above-mentioned Calculation : from whom Sir Charles Sidley Baronet , claims the Original of his Title to this Mansion , and his Extraction or pedigree likewise , untwisted , into many Descents , and now at last wound up in him .

Shouldon in the Hundred of Deal , hath two remarkable places which are situated within the Limits of it . First , Hull presents it self to our View , it was formerly under the Signory of the illustrious-Family of Ratling or Retling in Nonington . Thomas de Retling paid respective Aid for this , and divers other Lands of ancient Inheritance in the twentieth year of Edward the third , at the making the Black Prince Knight , and left it to his Son Sir Richard de Retling , whose Widow the Lady Sarah Retling , and afterwards Wife of John de St. Laurence , died possest of it in the tenth year of Richard the second , and left it to John Spicer who had married Joan Daughter and Heir to her first Husband : but he concluding in a Daughter and Heir , by this his first Wife called Cicely , who was Heir to her mother Joan Spicer , shee by matching with Iohn Isaack , knit it to the Propriety of that Family . But before the twenty first of Henry the sixth , he had fixed the Inheritance in Iohn Bresland , in whom it was not long resident ; for he suddenly after altered his right , and about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , put it over by Sale to Phineux of Swink-field , whose Successor Robert Phineux , by as quick and early a Vicissitude , placed the possession about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , in George Monins Esquire ; whose Successor in that Age which was circumscribed within the Pale of our Fathers Remembrance , passed it away to Crayford of Great Mongeham .

Secondly , Cotmanton puts in its Claim for some memorial likewise , even in this respect , that it was the Demeasne of the noble Family of Crioll or Keriell , who were of some considerable Repute in this Track , as appearsby by the Book styled Testa de Nevill kept in the Exchequer , where they are represented in the twentieth year of Henry the third , to have held Land in this Skirt of the County , and in Ages of a modern Aspect , that is , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , I find Iohn de Criol , gave a pecuniary supply at the making the Black Prince Knight : but before the end of Edward the third , he was departed from the possession of this place , which by Sale was resigned up to Roger Digge , and he dyed in the possession of it in the third year of Ric. the second , Rot. Esc . Num 19. And in this Family it continued , untill the reign of Henry the seventh , and then it was alienated to Barton , descended from the ancient Family of Barton , of Barton-hall , in the County of Lancaster ; from whom the like Mutation about the latter end of H. the eighth carried it off , to the Family of Brown ; and from them it passed away by Sale into the Possession of Richardson , upon whose going out , the Family of Smith , by a Devolution like the former , not many years since , stept into the Inheritance of it .

Sundrich in the Hundred of Codsheath , was the Possession ( as high as any Light , collected from Antiquity , can waft us to a Discovery ) of an Ancient Family called in Latine-Records de Insula , and in English Isley . Iohn de Insula , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Sundrich , in the eleventh year of Edward the second , and he had Issue Iohn Isley , who married Joan , Daughter to Sir Ralph de Fremingham , and by her had Issue Roger Isley Esquire , who in Right of his mother , became Heir to his Uncle Iohn Fremingham Esquire , who deceased without Issue , in the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , and this Roger Isley , had Issue William Isley Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the twenty fifth year of Henry the sixth , and he had Issue John Isley Esquire , who was Justice of the Peace , and Sheriff of Kent , in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth , and deceased in the year 1484 , as appears by an Inscription affixed to his Monument , yet extant ( notwithstanding the late general Shipwrack of the Remains of Antiquity ) in Sundrich-church , and he had Issue Thomas Isley Esquire , Father of Sir Henry Isley , who was Sheriff of Kent , in the thirty fourth year of Henry the eighth , and again in the fifth year of Edward the sixth : but being unhappily entangled , in the dysastrous Attempt of Sir Thomas Wiat , was upon the frustrating of that Designe and the Dissipation , and Discomfiture of those Forces who were to support it ; in the second year of Queen Mary , convicted and attainted of high Treason , and executed at Sevenoke ; upon whose Tragedy this Mannor with all its Appendages escheated to the Crown : but was the same year restored to his Son William Isley Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent , part of the seventh year of Queen Elizabeth ; after whose decease , the Title of this place , which had so many Centuries of years like an Inmate dwelt in this Name and Family , ebbed away to another Proprietary ; for in our Fathers Memory it was alienated by Sale to Brooker , who not many years since , passed it away to Mr. John Hide , second Son to Mr. Bernard Hide , one of the Commissioners of the Custome-house to his late Majestie .

Brook-place in Sundrich , so called from its contiguous Situation neer some Drill of Water , did acknowledge for many discents , the Signory of Isley , the last of whom who dyed possest of it , was William Isley Esquire , who held it at his Decease , which was in the fourth year of Edward the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 34. After whose Exit , it came to John Isley Esquire , who not long after , passed it away to John Alphew , and he determinig in two Daughters and Coheirs , one of them by matching with Sir Robert Read Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , in the reign of Henry the seventh , linked it to his Patrimony : but he likewise went out in four Daughters and Coheirs , Katharine one of which , was matched to Sir Thomas Willoughbie , Lord Chief Justice likewise , of the Common Pleas , and so he in her right was possest of this place ; from whom it came down to his Successor , Thomas Willoughbie Esquire , who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed it by Sale , to Mr. Hoskins of Oxted in Surrey , descended from an ancient Family of that Name in Hereford-shire , whose Successor Mr. Charles Hoskins , being lately deceased , the Fee-simple rests now in his Son and Heir .

Hethenden or Henden is another Mannor in Sundrich , which was folded up in the Demeasn of the powerful and illustrious Family of the Clares , who were Earls of Gloucester and Lords of Tunbridge by whose Heir general it devolved to Audley : and this Family by the same Fatality , languishing into a Female Inheritrix , she by matching with Stafford , cast this Mannor into his Revenue , and in this Name was the Propriety resident , untill , Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham , was infortunately attainted , in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , it was by escheat , annexed to the Demeasn of the Crown , and made its aboad there , untill King Henry the eighth , in the thirty fifth year of his reign , granted it to Sir John Gresham , and he dyed possest of it , in the first year of Queen Elizabeth , after whose Decease it remained constant to the Interess of this Family , until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was alienated to Sir Thomas Hoskins of Oxsted in Surrey , in the Descendants of which Family the Signory and Propriety is at this instant remaining .

The Roman Fosse or Way which extended or stretched out it self from Oldborough in Igtham to Baston in Heys , and afterwards to Woodcot in Surrey , did cut thorough this Parish ; for not many years since , in digging near Come-banke , a Seat so called , which did formerly relate to the Isleys , and is situated in Sundrich , were discovered many Roman Urns of an antick Shape and Figure , from whence we may probably collect thus much , that there was formerly erected some Fortresse , at or near Combe-banke ( its Situation being fitted for such a Design ) by the Roman Generals , to secure their forces in their March to Noviomagum or Woodcot , against any Impression or Eruption of the Britons .

Sturrey in the Hundred of Blengate , was a Mannor by a Prescription of many Generations wrapt up in the Patrimony of Apulderfeild , a Family whom we shall have occasion often to mention thoroughout the Body of this Survey , and here it continued till this Name met with its Tomb in a Daughter and Heir , known by the Name of Elizabeth , who was wedded to Sir John Phineux : and although he likewise concluded in a Female Heir , matched to John Roper Esquire , who drew along with her a great portion of the Estate , yet this still remained fixt in this Name and Family , even till our Fathers Memory ; and then John Phineux Esquire died , and left this , and other vast possessions to his Daughter and Sole Heir Elizabeth Phineux , who brought them over to her Husband Sir John Smith , eldest Son of Sir Thomas Smith , and Grand-father to Philip Smith Viscount Strangford , who by Right planted in him by so worthy a Predecessor , does entitle himself to the Interess and possession of it .

Mayton in this Parish , though now of no great Importance , yet formerly gave both Seat and Sirname to a Family that passed under that Appellation , from whom by Sale the Inheritance was transplanted into Diggs , where for some Descents , without any Interval it made its abode , till it was by Leonard Diggs Grand-father to Sir Dudley Diggs , sold to Goodhugh , by whose Daughter and Heir it became the Demeasne of Baggs , which Name likewise going out here into a Daughter and Heir , she by matching not long since to Farmer , has made it to own him for its instant proprietary .

Sutton by Walmer lies in the Hundred of Cornilo , and was the Inheritance of a good old Family , called Stroude . Peradventure it assumed its Denomination from the Shore not far distant , and was sometimes , in the Saxon Denomination , called Strond , and as often Stroude ; John de Stroude held it , as the Book of Aide denotes , in the reign of Edward the first , and when this Family was worn out , the next who were invested in the possession , were the Criols , and Nicholas Criol or Keriel , held it at his death , which was in the third year of Richard the second , whose Grand-child Sir Thomas Keriel being an active Champion of the Cause and Quarrel of Edward the fourth , against the House of Lancaster , was slain in the second Battle of St. Albans , where the Title of both Parties was put to the bloody decision of a Field , who leaving only two Daughters and Co-heirs , one matching with John Fogge Esquire , incorporated this into his Revenue , from whom by purchase , the Right was setled in Whitlock , where it tarried not long , but was by the like devolution transplanted into Maycot , from which Name the same Fate of Sale carried it into the possession of Stokes , who in our memory by the like alienation , transmitted his Interess here to Meryweather .

Sutton , commonly called East-Sutton , lies in the Hundted of Eyhorne , and was formerly the Braybrookes ; Henry de Braybrooke , one of the Lord Wardens of the Cinque Ports , had Lands here ; and in this Track ( as the Book of Aide , and the Book called Feoda Militum , in the Exchequer , do both inform us ) his Son was Gerard Braybrooke , and his Grand-child was Reginald Braybrooke , whose Heir Joan Braybrooke married to Thomas Brooke of the County of Somerset : but whether this Reginald Braybrooke gave this Mannor to pious Uses , or not , and principally to the Abby of Leeds adjacent , I cannot positively determine , upon the Suppression it was granted ( as being parcel of the Demeasne of the Convent of Leeds ) by Henry the eighth , in the thirty seventh year of his reign to John Tufton Esquire , who passed it away by Sale to Mr. Richard Argall , whose Heir Elizabeth Argall , being married to Edward Filmer Esquire , made it the possession of that Family , and by a communicative Right from him , does his Grand-child Sir Edward Filmer , Son to Sir Robert Filmer lately deceased , now hold the possession and propriety of it .

Sutton Valence , and Chart by Sutton , both lie in the Hundred of Eyhorne : the last of which contracted the Appellation , from formerly owning William de Valence Earl of Pembroke , to be Lord of the Fee , who certainly instituted that Castle , that now even in its Reliques and Fragments with much of venerable Magnificence overlooks the Plain : And when Aymer de Valence his Son concluded in a Female Heir Isabell , she was wedded to Lawrence Lord Hastings , who in relation to her became not only Earl of Pembroke , but Lord of Sutton-Valence also , and from him did it descend to his Grand-child John Hastings Earl of Fembroke , the last Earl there of that Name , who transmitted his Title of that place to Reginald Grey , and Richard Talbot , who flourished here about the reign of Henry the fourth , and they had this Mannor by Testamentary Donation , in the fourteenth year of Richard the second . In the next Age subsequent to this , I find the Cliffords of Bobbing-court , to be the Proprietaries , and to this Family was the Inheritance in a constant Union fastned , till Nicholas Clifford Esquire , deceased without Issue-male , and left only one Daughter and Heir , called Mildred , who was first married to Harper ; secondly , to More ; thirdly , to Warren ; and lastly , to Blount : but she had only Issue by Harper and More ; for in her Right Edward Lord More of Mellifont in Ireland , and Sir Edward Harper divided the Possession : but the first desiring to contract his whole Revenue into Ireland , and the other to make this adjacent to his principal Seat of Ruspar-hall in the County of Derby , Sir Edward Harper alienated this to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet , and the Lord More , Chart by Sutton to the same worthy Person , Grand-father to Sir Edward Hales Baronet , who not only enjoyes the Title of his Ancestors Dignity , but that of the Possession in these places likewise .

Cheyneys-court in this Parish hath been adopted into that Name , since it for many Descents acknowledged the Jurisdiction and propriety of that Family : and I could unravel a Successive Series of many of that Name ( but that it is superfluous ) who were Lords of the Fee ; it is enough , that Sir Thomas Cheyney sold it to Iden , which Name suddenly after resolving into two Daughters and Co-heirs , one matching with Brown , and the other with Barton , the last made it parcel of the Patrimony of that Family , and when some years it had been continued in the possession of Barton , it was in our Memory by Sale brought over to be the Demeasne of Wollett , and it is now ( but whether by Purchase , or by the Right of a Female Heir or not , I cannot ascertain my self ) the propriety of Jordan .

Sutton at Hone lies in the Hundred of Acstane , and gives Denomination to the whole Lath wherein it is situated . It was long since a Mannor relating to the Revenue of the Knights Hospitallers , who had here a Mansion-house , called St. Johns , where they often made their Retreat , when they visited their other Demeasne Land , which lay circumscribed within the Verge of this County : but their Estate here was much inforced and improved by the Addition of the Mannor of Grandison , which whether it came to them by Purchase or Donation from Thomas Lord Grandison , who died the forty ninth year of Edward the third , is incertain . Upon the Suppression of the Alberge of these Knights of St. John of Jerusalem here in England , their Revenue was assumed into the possession of the Crown : and King Henry the eighth , bestowed by Grant on Sir Maurice Dennis St. John's ; and to him does that magnificent and elegant Pile , where now the Countess of Leicester makes her Residence , owe the first Institution of its Shape and Beauty , though it has been since extreamly inlarged by the Additions both of Bulk and Ornament by Sir Thomas Smith . But to proceed , St. Johns was conveyed from Sir Maurice Dennis by his Coheir to Thomas Cranfeild , whose Grand-child Vincent Cranfeild , has lately alienated his Right to Mr. Hollis of London Merchant .

Haly Sawters is another Mannor in Sutton in Hone : a place though now obscure in it self , and not re-presented to our Remembrance but by Annals and Record , yet in elder Times it was raised up to a higher degree of Estimate , when it had Proprietaries , whose Nobility and Title added both Value and Lustre unto it . The first of which Register whom I trace in Record to be entituled to the Possession was Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke , and he died seised of it in the twenty second year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 47. from whom the Title came down to his Son John de Hastings , and he likewise was in the enjoyment of it at his Decease , which was in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 70. After this Family , had deserted the Inheritance , I find Richard Fitz Allen Earl of Arundel to be invested in the Possession , and he died in the Tenure of it in the one and twentieth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 2. From whom it devolved to Joan his Daughter and Co-heir matched to William Beauchamp Baron of Aburgavenny , whose Son Richard Lord Beauchamp dying without Issue Male , Elizabeth his Sole Daughter , espoused to Edward Nevill Baron of Aburgavenny in her Right be came his Heir , and he in the sixteenth year of Edward the fourth died possest of this Mannor of Sawters . And here for want of Light both from publick or private Record ; I cannot discover to my Reader or my self whether or not it passed away immediately from Nevill to Maio , whom I find about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth to be planted in the Possession , though the Affirmation of some old people of this Parish , who derived that Knowledge they have of it from the Tradition of their Ancestors that assert it did . Thomas Maio in the twenty eighth of Q. Elizabeth passed it away to Rich. Paramour , and he presently after disposed of it by Sale to Sir Henry Brooke , who conveyed it to Robert Wroth Esquire , and he to Edmund Hunt Esquire , who alienated Haly and Sawters to Mr. William Hewson in the thirty fourth year of Q. Elizabeth , whose Son Mr. William Hewson of London transmitted Haly with Sawters by Sale , some few years since , to Mr. Edward Badbie .

Grandisons is the last place remarkable in this Parish : It was the ancient Inheritance of the noble and illustrious Family of Grandison ; before Otho de Grandison , who was Governour of Jersey for life by Grant from Edw. the first in the fifth year of his Reign , did transplant himself to Seale , which he had purchased in the thirteenth year of that Prince . William de Grandison this mans Son was likewise Lord of this place , to whom K. Edward the second assigned the Value of 44 lb. yearly Rent out of his Mannor of Dartford , in Exchange for the Mannor of Iden and other Lands in Sussex , and from this Man did the Signory of this Mannor accrue by Descent to his Grand-child Sir Thomas Grandison , who dying without Issue in the forty ninth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 62. left it partly to John de Northwood , who had married Agnes his Sister and Co-heir , and partly to Margaret his Lady Dowager , who died possest of it in the eighteenth year of Richard the second : but after her Exit , the Title was not long permanent in Northwood ; for in the twenty first year of the Prince abovesaid , Richard Fitz Allen Earl of Arundel held it , and died that year possest of it : And here I confess for want of Light and just intelligence I must make a Leap to the Reign of Henry the sixth , and then I find it in the Tenure of Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick , and it is probable it devolved to him by the Heir of Beauchampe . After his Decease it became the Possession of George Duke of Clarence , who had matched with Isabel his Daughter and Co-heir , by whom he had Issue Edward Plantagenet Earl of Warwick , who was offered up on an early Scaffold , to the waking suspitions , and weary Jealousies , of those two politick Princes , Henry the seventh , and Ferdinand of Castile , being invited to an escape , from his long Duress in the Tower , by the Arts and Stratagems of that eminent Impostor , Perkin Warbeck : But indeed those who have calculated this Action , and surveyed the whole Scene of this Tragedy , have discovered that his nearness to the Crown , as being the last Relick of the Male-Line of Plantagenet , was the cheiefest Ingredient in the severe Sentence , of this infortunate Gentleman . After his expiration , this Mannor came over to be the Patrimony of his Sister , Margaret Countess of Salisbury , who was matched to Sir Richard Poole , by which marriage this Mannor was annexed to his Demeasn , and he had Issue by her Henry Poole , who with his Mother was attainted in the Reign of Henry the eighth , upon whose fatal Shipwrack , Grandisons was in the thirty fifth of that Prince placed by Grant in his Brother Geffrey Poole , who not long after passed it away to Sir Thomas Moile , by whose Daughter and Co-heir it came to be the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Kempe , and he about the tenth year of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it to Mr. Jo. Mabbe , who not long after transmitted it by Sale to Sir Christopher Heron , who about the beginning of K. James alienated his concernment here to Cole , by whom not long after it was demised to Sir Thomas Smith , second Son of Customer Smith of Westenhanger ; in the Heirs and Descendants of which Name and Family , the Possession is still resident .

Hackstaple is likewise within the Bounds of this Parish : and was , as high as the reach either of private or publick Evidence can bring down any light to our knowledge the Killingworth's ; and here , for an indivisible succession of Ages , did the Possession fix , and reside , until at last the common Fate of Families , brought this Name here at Hackstaple to find its interment or Grave in a Daughter and Heir ; for George Killingworth had an onely She-Inheritrix whose name was Elizabeth , and she was matched with Christopher Eglesfield Gentleman , so that Hackstaple in her right , was intermingled with the Demeash of this Family : and here some years did it by this Conjugall Knot appear fastned , till lately the Possession received an alienation ; for Francis Eglesfield of London , Son to Christopher Eglesfield some few years since sold it to Mr Christopher Searle .

T. T. T. T.

TAningnton is situated in the Hundred of Bredge and Petham , and in Times of a very ancient Inscription did own the Name and acknowledge the Signory of a Family called Wallis . Richard de Wallis held it in the twenty first of Edward the first , and as it appears by the Pleas of that year had a signal Contest with the Prior of St. Gregories in Canterbury , about his Right to the Presentation of that Church . After Wallis was worn out , it fell under the Signory of a Family called Mesingham , but it seems was not long resident in their Possession : for about the beginning of Richard the second , Nicholas Mesingham releases to Thomas Chich all his Interess and Right in Tanington , and other Lands situated in Heckington and other places , but here likewise was the Possession as brief and inconstant ; for before the Expiration of the Reign of Henry the fourth , I find it by purchase from Chich and Wallis , setled in the Tenure of Geo. Ballard ; and he died seised of it in the eighth year of Henry the sixth , and in this Family did continue until the reign of Edward the sixth , and then it was alienated by Nicholas Ballard Esquire , to Sir James Hales of the Dungeon ; from whom the right by Successive Delegation is now transmitted to Sir James Hales the instant Lord of the Fee .

Terstan in the Hundred of Twyford , was involved in the Revenue of the Crown ; until Eleanor Q. of England exchanged this and West-Farleigh with the Monks of Christ-Church for the eminent Port of Sandwich : which Exchange Edward the first ( as appears by the Records of that Cathedral ) by his Charter fully strengthened and confirmed . Yet though it was prop'd and supported by that Authority , yet it could not be so fastened and riveted into the Ecclesiastical Patrimony , but that , that storm which arose in the reign of Henry the eighth , tore it away : and then that Prince in the thirty fifth year of his rule passed it away to Sir John Baker ; from whom it is now devolved by successive right to his descendant Sir John Baker of Sisingherst Knight and Baronet ; and he hath lately passed it away to Mr. Jasper Cleyton of London .

Barham Court in this Parish re-presents to our remembrance , that it was once the Mansion or ancient residence of the noble and illustrious Family of Barham : this Name was , in Times of a very reverend Inscription , written Fitz-Urse . Randal Fitz. Urse was one of those four who were concerned in the Assassination of that turbulent and ambitious prelate Thomas Becket Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , who though peradventure for his violent invasion made upon the royal prerogative of his Soveraign Henry the second , might have deserved the Guerdon of an exemplary Death ; yet the manner of taking him off cartied with it so deformed an Aspect in those times which were wholly consecrated and offered up to a superstitious Adoration of his memory , and contracted so black a Character on those who were interessed in his extra-judicial ruine , that Randal Fitz-Vrse fled into Ireland , and there altered his Name to Mac-Mahon , which in Irish imports as much as the Son of the Bear ; upon his recess , Robert de Barham his Kinsman entred on his Estate here at Terstan , and from him did it descend by paternal Devolution to his great Grand-child John de Berham , who was by Henry prior of Christ-Church created publick Notary of the Diocess of Canterbury in the year 1309 , an Office of as much Eminence as it was of Trust and Concernment , and which the abovesaid Henry received by Commission to invest any with , whom he should discover to be fortified with Abilities , proportionate to so illustrious an employment from Bassianus de Alliate Count Palatine of Millaine : and he again was impowered and commissionated to grant it to any whom he should judge meet to receive it , by Authority delegated and transmitted to him originally from the Emperour , and it is probable that it was the above mentioned John de Berham or his Son who paid an Auxiliarie supply for his Lands at Terstan as appears by the Book of Aid , at the making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third : and in that Roll kept in the Exchequer wherein there is mention of all those of this County who paid respective Aid in the fourth year of Henry the fourth , at the Marriage of Blanch that Monarch's Daughter ; there is a Recital of Nicholas Berham , who contributed a supply for his Lands at Terston , and from him by an un-interrupted Line of succession was the Title of this place conducted down to Thomas Berham Esquire , who determined in a Daughter and Heir called Anne Berham , who by her intermarriage with Sir Oliver Boteler descended from an ancient Family of that Name in the County of Bedford made this Seat which had been so many centuries of years in the Tenure of this Family , alter its Proprietary , and become the Patrimony of another Name ; Sir Oliver Boteler had Issue Sir William Boteler Knight and Baronet , who fell a Sacrifice to the late King's Quarrel , whilst he vigorously asserted his Cause and Interest at Cropredy Bridge ; but left Issue the instant Proprietary Sir Oliver Boteler Baronet , whose Ancestors in Bedford hire were descended from Thomas Pincerna , who flourished in the reign of King John , and did Seal with a Covered Cup , with this Inscription ( as appears by the old Deeds of this Family ) encircling the Seal , Sigillum Thomae Pincernae and it is possible was chief Butler to the abovesaid Prince ; from which eminent Office of his , his Successors assumed the Sirname of Boteler .

Tenham contributes and affords a Name to that Hundred where it is placed , but is of more Eminence and repute , since it was given to Christ-Church in Canterbury , at the Intreaty of Athelard , by Cenulfe K. of the Mercians by the Estimate of twelve Plough-Lands ; for the like Proportion of Land in Ballance to the exchange in Creges Emeline , that is , the Isse of Elmely by Crogdepe that is the water which parts the Royaltie of Swale between Tenham and Feversham . And in the Patrimony of the Church did it lie wrapt up till the suppression of all Frieries , Abbies , and other Religious Convents by Henry the eighth : and then Thomas Cranmer finding that the spreading Demeasn of the Church , was in danger to be torn off by the tallons of Avarice and Rapine , he to mortifie the growing Appetite of Sacrilegious Cormorants , in the first of December and in the twenty ninth year of that Prince's Government , exchanged it with the Crown , and thenceforth it was accounted a Limb of the Royal Revenue until King James by grant invested Sir Iohn Roper in it , and presently after created him Baron Roper of Tenham , ( in Gratitude it seems for that Service he performed , in being the first who openly proclaimed him King in the County of Kent ) and by successive Derivation from him does his great Grand-child Christopher now Lord Roper of Tenham , not onely possess the Dignitie , but the Royaltie of this Mannor likewise .

There is another Seat in this Parish , called Frogenhall , which in elder Times had the repute of a Mannor , though since by Disuse , that Character is almost shrunk away from it . That it was a Mansion of the Frogenhals , is most evident ; for Richard Frogenhall was seised of it at his Death , which was in the thirty third year of Edward the third , and Thomas Frogenhall was his Son and Heir , who resigned up his Interest in it , with Anne his Daughter and Heir to Thomas Quadring : and not long after by the same Mutation , was the Interest of it by this man , with his Daughter and Heir Joan Quadring , given up to Richard Dryland Esquire , who likewise not many years after going out in a Daughter and Heir , called Katharine , she by being wedded to Reginald Norton Esquire , by that Conjugal Union , knit Frogenhall to the Interest of that Family , where after it had been some Ages fixt , it was by purchase brought to be the Inheritance of Greene , who ( upon what Exigent or Occasion I know not ) in the Conveyance is called Greene , alias Norton : but in this Name it made no permanent Residence ; for even in our Memory , from Greene by Sale the Title and Right of it was translated into Clerke .

Tenham had the Grant of a Market procured to it on the Tuesday , and a Fair to continue yearly three dayes , at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary , by Boniface Arch-bishop of Canterbury , as appears , Pat. 44. Henrici tertii Memb. 37.

Tenterden , in the Hundred of Tenterden , had its denomination , as some vulgar Phansies conjecture , from the tenderness of the Soile adjacent to it : but indeed it was in elder and more true Orthography , written Theinwarden , that is , the Thanes or Theins , Ward , or Guard in the Valley ; for it was very probable it was subservient to that Signory or Dominion , which the Governour of Andredswaldt ( so called by the Saxons : but Anderida by the Romans ) did exercise , and pretend to , in this Track of the County . Now if you will question where this Castle of Anderida or Andredswaldt was placed ; I answer , it was upon Reding-hill , not far removed from this place , a Fortress in those Times of eminent Value and Reputation , though since by the multiplied Onsets of Time upon it , it lies forgotten in its own neglected Ruines ; yet though this be languished away both in Fame and Fabrick , Tenterden has sundry Seats in it , which may make it eminent enough . First , Heronden resigns it self up to an Inquisition , though now it be scattered into severall parcels , yet anciently it was collected , as into one Name , so into one possession likewise ; and the ancient Ordinaries in the Heralds Office , do assign a Coat to this Name , something proportionate to it , that is , an Heron rising upon its wing , and gaping for Breath : but when Time began to invade this Family , and break it into parcels , one part of this Seat was sold to Sir John Baker , Predecessor to Sir John Baker , who is now the possessor of it : but the other parts of it stayd longer in this Name ; for Heronden not long since sold some part of it to Mr. John Austin lately deceased , and the Remainder was passed by the same conveyance to Mr. Short .

Pitlesden is the second which requires our Notice , it gave Seat to a Family so called , which remained in possession of it , till Stephen Pitlesden died and left a Daughter and Heir , whose Name was Julian , who by marrying with Edward Guldeford , made this parcel of the Revenue of that Family , and here without any Interruption was the Inheritance planted , till Iohn Guldeford Esquire transferred his Right by Sale , to Sir Iohn Baker , one of the Privy Councel to Queen Mary , whose Grandchild Sir Iohn Baker Knight and Baronet , Father of Sir Iohn Baker Baronet now of Sisingherst in Cranbroke , did some years since alienate the possession of it to Mr. Jasper Clayton of London Mercer .

Lights Notinden and East . Asherinden , are two other Mannors in Tenterden , which belonged partly to a Chauntry , founded here by Iohn Light , and partly to Brooke near Wye , and were , upon the suppression of the One , and Dissolution of the Priory of Christ-church to which Brooke related , granted by Henry the eighth , to Sir Iohn Baker Atturney General to that Prince , Edward the sixth , and Queen Mary ; and from him are they now devolved by paternal Right to Sir Iohn Baker of Sisingherst Baronet .

There is a place in this Parish , called Finchden , which in our Grand-fathers Memory was purchased by Sir Edward Hales , Ancestor of the Family of Finch ; from which Mr. Edward Finch , now of Tenterden , is originally descended , which in Times of an elder Character , gave Sirname to a Family called Finchden : one of whom called William de Finchden was Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , in the Time of Edward the third , and sometimes in the old Law-books , which have an Aspect on his reign , is written Finchden , and sometimes contractedly Finch ; and it is probable the Name was originally Finch , only Den was added to it ( which was customary and usual in elder Times ) because this Family had their Dwelling in some Habitation , whose Situation was near some Valley .

Tenterden was governed by a Port-reve or Bayley , as the original Patent informs me , from the thirty sixth year of Henry the sixth , until the forty third year of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was by Patent from that Princesse ordered to be governed by a Major and Jurates , and so it hath ever since continued .

I had almost forgot Elarinden , which is the last place of Note in Tenterden , and celebrates it self to be parcel of the Mannor of Frid or Frith in Bethersden , and was involved in that Revenue , which did confess the Signory of the Noble Family of Mayney , and was found to be in the possession of John de Mayney , at his Decease , which was in the fiftieth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. and lay couched in that Demeasne , which related to this Name , until the reign of Henry the sixth , and then it was passed away to Darell , and remained involved in the Patrimony of this Family , until the seventeenth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was alienated by John Darell Esquire , to Sir John Hales , one of the Barons of the Exchequer , and from him by a Devolution of successive Descent , is it now come down to Sir Edward Hales of Tunstall Baroner .

Tilmanston in the Hundred of Eastrie , has divers Seats within the Verge and Boundaries of it , not only of Reputation and Account , in Respect of their own Antiquity ; but likewise in Relation to those Persons who were possest of them . First , there is North-court and Dane-court , both were anciently under the Dominion of one Person , and continue interwoven still , though they have borrowed these several Names in Respect of their opposite Situation . John de Sandherst made a Claim of Liberties in North-court , the sixth year of Edward the first , Christian his Daughter and Heir was married to William Langley of Knowlton , who in her Right possest this Mannor , and by a new Ins●ection had the former Liberties exemplified , the thirty seventh year of Edward the third , Pat. 37. pars prima Memb. 21. and after that the possession of this place had by an even Line of Descent been drawn thorough this Family , it did at last by an Heir General devolve to Peyton , and by a Derivative Title from him , does Sir Thomas Peyton of Knowlton Baronet , hold the instant enjoyment of it . But Dane-court was passed away by Langley to Fenell , and from him by the like Transition , it came over to Thomas Cox Customer of Sandwich , and he by Sale invested the Interest of it in Fogge , Ancestor to my Noble Friend Richard Fogge Esquire , now Possessor of Dane-court , a Person to whom for that Intelligence he has contributed to me in Relation to the Noble Families of Crioll and Valoignes , whose Heirs General matched with Fogge , and who formerly by those Alliances , annexed a vast Revenue in this County to this Name , I am signally obliged .

South-court in this Parish was in Times of eldest Inscription , as appears by a Survey of this Parish , taken in the eighteenth year of Edward the third , and which lies now in the Hands of Mr. Anneslow Gardiner of Haling in Croyden , Sir John de Tittesden : but certainly the possession was not long resident here ; for not long after , I find the Lord Martin of Devon to be Proprietary of it , from whom in the reign of Henry the sixth , the Right of it was by Sale conducted down to John White , after made Sir John White , a Merchant of the Staple at Canterbury , and when this Name deserted the possession of this place , the next who succeeded in the subsequent Series was Cox , from whom by purchase the Right came into Fogge , and from that Name , by the Fate of Sale , was it made the Inheritance of Peyton , from whom by Communicative Derivation and Descent , it is incorporated into the Demeasne of Sir Thomas Peyton .

Toniford in the Hundred of West-gate , did afford both Seat and Sirname to a Family , which came under that Appellation ; and there is mention in the Book of Aide of John Toniford , who lived here about the beginning of Edward the third : but this Family was worn out , about the latter part of that Prince's Reign , And the next in Order , who was Lord of the Fee , was Sir Thom is Fogge , who flourished here in the reign of Edward the third , and Richard the second , and after it had been for sundry Descents fixt in this Name and Family , the Interest which they had here , was by purchase brought over to claim Vane for its Possessor , where likewise the Title was as unstable : for not many years are consumed , since it was alienated from their Revenue , and made by Sile the Demeasne of Captain Collin , or Sedingbourn .

Tong in the Hundred of Milton , was anciently called Thewng and Thawng , which import as much in Saxon , as Thong in English ; for the common Opinion derived from a universal Tradition , and that asserted and justified by an uninterrupted Assent of elder Times , is , That Vortiger the British King , gave Hengist and Horsa , as a Symbol and Pledge of his Affection , so much Land to erect a Fortress on , as could be environed and circumscribed , by the Hide of a Beast cut into Thongs , which accordingly was performed , and the Castle thus established , in Memory of the original Donation , was in the Saxon Dialect styled Thwangceoster or Thong-castle : and this Story is made more probable and plausible , because Matthew of Westminster affirms that Aurelius Ambrosius by many provocations endevoured to engage Hengist , and his Saxons to a Battle at Tong in Kent : and that there was a Castle here , the Fragments and Remains of some Fortifications near the Mill , do easily evince ; though they lie now gasping in so deplored an heap , that only the Rubbish of its Ruines are discernable ; yet certainly in elder Times it was a Fortress of Importance ; for the Moat of the Castle is yet so wide and deep , that it contributes Water enough to drive a Mill. But to proceed ; After the Conquest , it constantly acknowledged the powerful and eminent Family of Badelesmer , and Bartholomew Lord Badclesmer obtained the Grant of a three Dayes Fair at St. Giles , to be observed at Tong , as appears , Pat. 9. Edwardi secundi Num. 57. But when he , by his Defection , in the sixteenth year of Edward the second , had forfeited this , and the residue of his Patrimony to the Crown , this by the indulgent favour of Edward the third , was in the second year of his reign , restored to his Son Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , who died possest of it , in the twelfth year of the abovesaid Prince , and left it to his Brother Giles de Badelesmer , who dying without Issue , it accrued upon the Division of the Estate , to be the Portion of Edmund Mortimer Earl of March and Vlster , who had matched with Elizabeth Widow of William Bohun Earl of Northampton , and Sister and Co-heir of the abovesaid Giles , and he in the fifth year of Richard the second , was found in her Right to have died possest of it , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. and from him it descended to his Grand-child Edmund the last Earl of March , who being embarked in that War , which was commenced by Henry Lord Percy , Sirnamed the Hotspur of the North , against Henry the fourth , made Shipwrack of his Estate here at Tong , and was seised on as an Escheat by the Crown , and lay involved in the Royal Revenue , until Henry the sixth , in the twenty seventh year of his reign , granted it to Sir Thomas Browne of Bechworth-castle , both Controller and Treasurer of his Houshold : but his Son Sir George Browne , in the eleventh year of Edward the fourth , surrendered it back to the Crown , for the Benefit and Use of Cicely Durchess Dowager of Yorke , Mother of the abovesaid Prince : After whose Decease it reverts and flows back into its ancient Channel , and was esteemed a Limb of the Royal Patrimony , until the first year of King Edward the sixth , and then it was by that Prince granted to Sir Ralph Vane , as a Guerdon of that eminent and signal Service he performed in Scotland , when he was employed thither with Sir Ralph Sadler , by King Henry the eighth : and he not long after conveyed his Interest here to Sir Rowland Clerke , and from him in the fourth year of the abovesaid Prince , it passed away by Sale to Salomon Wilkins , in which Family it remained until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was alienated to Mr. William Pordage of Rodmersham Ancestor to Mr. Thomas Pordage , who still is in possession of it .

Cheeks-Court is a second place of Importance in Tong , it was anciently written Checks Court , as indeed affording both Seat and Sirname to a Family , which in very old Deeds , and other Monuments , is frequently named At Check , and sometimes de Check●ell ; In the reign of Edward the second , I find William de Cre entituled to the possession , but held it not long : for in the ninth year of that Prince , I find the Signory invested in Peyforer , who died that year possest of it , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 43. But before the latter end of Richard the second , this Family determined to Julian Peyforer a Sole Heir , who brought it along with her to her Husband Thomas St. Leger of Ottringden Esquire , who concluding in two Daughters and Co-heirs matched to Ewias and Aucher , his Estate came , in the renth of Henry the fourth , to be shared by those two Families , who not long after passed away their right here and in Elmeley to Cromer , in which Family the Propriety remained until the Beginning of King James , and then it was sold by Sir James Cromer to Allen.

Throuley in the Hundred of Feversham , was the capital Mansion of the Gattons ; for Hamon de Gatton , had it in possession at his decease , which was in the twentieth year of Edward the first , Ex Autographis Georgii Sonds Militis . and Elizabeth Gatton was found upon the Inquisition to be his Sole Heir , who married William de Dene , and so by this Alliance it came to own the possession of that Family : and this William had a Charter of Free-warren granted to his Lands here in the tenth year of Edward the second , and after him Thomas de Dene held it at his Death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third . And William de Dene , by right from him , possest the Inheritance ; whose Daughter and Coheir , Benedicta Dene , being married to Iohn Shelving , it went into the patrimony of that Family , which shortly after determined likewise in Daughters and Coheirs : one of which called Joan , was matched to Iohn Brampton alias Detling , of Detling-court , and so it was made a Limb of his Domeasne : but here it stayed not long neither , for this Name quickly sunk into a Female Heir , known by the Name of Benedicta Brampton , alias Detling , who was wedded to Thomas At Town , who had much Land about Charing : but Throuley being in his Wifes right , incorporated into his Revenue , he transplanted himself into this Parish , and here erected a Seat , which he adopted into his own Name , and called it Town-place : but suddenly after , he concluded in three Daughters and Coheirs ; Eleanor married to Richard Lewknor of Bodshead in Challock , Benet married to William Watton of Addington ; and Elizabeth wedded to Will . Sonds of Sonds-place at Darking in Surrey , who divided Towns Estate : and Throuley , with Town-place it self , upon the partition , sell to be the Lot or portion of Richard Lewknor , who sold them to Edward Evering , from whom by Mary his Daughter and Heir , married to Iohn Upton of Fever ham , Town-place went into the possession of that Name ; and from Vpton , by Sale , it was carried over to Shilling , where after some few years the Title had rested , it was by a Revolution of the same Nature and Semblance , transplanted into Sonds : from which purchase Sir George So●●s Knight of the Bath , now derives his Right and Inheritance , in the Mannor and Signory of Town-place .

Wilderton in Throuley was eminent formerly , for being marshalled under the Revenue of Giles Lord Badelesmer , Father to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmer , who by his opposing of Edward the second , at Leeds Castle , forseited this and his Life , together , to the offended Justice of that Prince : but when his Sons Barth . and Giles Lord Badelesmer were by Edward the third , restored to their former Dignity , and likewise to a principal part of his Estate , this was folded up in that Restitution ; for when these above-mentioned Brothers deceased without any lawfull Issue , their Sisters were found to be their Coheirs , and Margery one of them , being married to William Lord Rosse , brought this to a piece of his Revenue ; from whom by Sale it went into the possession of Lewknor of Bodshead in Challock . And when this Family was devested of it , the Inheritance was by purchase , setled in Evering , descended from the Everings of Everings-court in Alkham by Dover , where after it had some years found a continued Residence , the Name and Title dissolved together : for Edward Evering , left only Mary Evering his Sole Heir , who matching with John Upton Gentleman , that Alliance fixed Wilderton in the Possession of that Name : and part of it , was in some years subsequent to this Match , sold away to Arnold Terrey of this Parish , but the Residue is yet constant to the Interess of Mr. Vpton of Feversham , a person in whom the Scholler and Gentleman , are so evenly mixt , as to a Composition of Perfection , that it is yet a Question , which of them is the most predominant .

There was a religious House in Throuley , which was a Cell to St. Bertins at St. Omer in Flanders : but when Henry the fifth , perceived the ill Consequences of having Fraternities , and other religious Cells and Covents in this Nation , which had in a manner their dependances upon other States , contrary peradventure in Interess and Affection to this ; he suppressed this , and many other of the like Condition , and out of their Ruines and Revenue , he erected the magnificent Monastery at Shene , whose first Foundation entitles it self to his Piety and Munificence .

Thurnham in the Hundred of Eyhorne , was the Patrimony of an ancient and Knightly Family of that Sirname , made more eminent by the production of Sir Robert de Thurnham , a person of considerable Account in the reign of Richard the first , which Prince he accompanied to the holy War , having before his designing himself to that Quarrel , disposed his Estate to pious Uses , whereof this at Thurnham was setled on the Colledge of Lingfield in Surrey , and having thus disroabed himself of his secular Inheritance , he with much Vigor and Alacritie assumed the Crusado or Vow to rescue the Sepulcher of our Saviour out of the possession of Infidels , which resolution he so nobly prosecuted , that he offered up his Life as an Oblation to the Justice of that cause which he had before so generously asserted ; After his Decease this remained cloistered up in the patrimony of the Colledge of Lingfield , untill the general suppression , and then growing parcel of the royal Revenue , it lay there until King Edward the sixth granted it to Sir Edward Wotton , whose Anceftor Sir Nicholas Wotton was invested long before in some part of this Mannor , which did acrue to him in the reign of Henry the fourth , by Joan Sole Heir of Robert Corbie , and from this Sir Edward above mentioned , was it entirely transmitted to his great Grand-child Thomas Lord Wotton , who having setled it in Marriage on his eldest Daughter Katherin Wotton matched to Henry Lord Stanhop , she by Sale hath lately given up her right to Mr. ..... Godden of London .

Binbery is an eminent Mannor in this Parish , which , as high as the Testimony of any either publick or private Evidences can instruct me , did own the Signory of Northwood . Roger de Northwood held it at his Death , which was in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third , and so did his Successor Roger Northwood in the last year of Henry the fifth . But after this I do not find it long constant to the Interest of this Family ; for about the beginning of Henry the sixth , I find by some ancient Court-rolls that it was passed away to Iohn Thwaits ; and he in the eighth year of that Prince , conveyed his right in it to William Gascoigne , in which Family the Title continued until the beginning of Edward the fourth , and then it was transplanted by Sale into Cut , or Cuts , and in this Name the Interest of this place was constantly lodged , until the beginning of King James , and then it was demised to Sir Samuel Lennard of West-Wickham , whose Son Sir Stephen Lennard is at this instant by paternal Right invested in the possession of it .

There was a Dysastrous Accident happen'd here at Binbery and it was this , as the Tragedy is represented to us out of the old Evidences of the Lord Wotton . The Lady Northwood in the Time of Edward the third , standing on the precipice or hanger of a Hill to see a Fox digged out which had earthed himself there , the Foundation being loose and Sandy sunk under her , and the hanging Hill shot down so much earth upon her that she was stifled to Death with the unequal pressure , e're they could disengage her from that weight , which crushed her into this early Ruine .

Upon the Brow of the Hill not far removed from this place , are the Ruines of an ancient Fortress called Godward Castle , which Mr. Darell in his Tract . De Costellis Cantii conjectures might borrow its Name from Godar dus a Saxou , whereas it is more probable it did extract its etymology from the goodness and eminence of its situation , as those Intrenchments at Stowting derive their Denomination from their tenable force and fortitude : and certainly this is adequate to reason and its own elevated position it being so setled , that it did not onely secure the way which led from the Roman Colony at Newington by Rainham , but it is possible was a speculatory station much in use amongst the Romans , to survey the Approaches of enemies , in the Valley below .

Aldington Septuans in Thurnhem , was the Cradle of an ancient Family of that Sirname . * * Ex Rot. penes Ed. Dering Mil. & Baronettum defunctum . Robert de Septuans is inserted in the Register of those noted Kentish persons , who were engaged with Richard the first at the Siege of Acon . * * See Rot. Pipe de Scutagio Wallia . Rob. de Septuans his Son was embarqued with Henry the third in his expedition against the Welch , in the forty second year of his Reign . Sir Rob. de Septuans was his Son and Heir , who was honoured with that Dignity by Edward the first for his exemplary Service performed at the Siege of Carlaverock , in the twenty eighth year of that Prince , and he was father to Will . de Septuans who was seised of it when he deceased , which was in the twenty fifth year of Edw. the third , but it seems it was not long permanent in the Tenure of this Name ; for immediately after the Gowers had it , and Iohn Gower when he died was in the enjoyment of it , which was in the forty third year of Edward the third ; from whom not many years after , it was by purchase transported to Iohn Brockhul Esquire , and with the Demeasn of this Family did the right of this place many years appear to be interwoven , till Anne Daughter and Heir of Henry Brockhull , married to Sir Iohn Taylor , and then both the Name and Estate were swallowed up in this Family , where the possession for sundry Ages remained , till lately it was conveyed by Sale to Freake issued out from the Freakes of the County of Dorset , who by marrying the Darghter of Sir Thomas Colepeper of Hollingbourne has planted himself in this County .

There was a Castle anciently in Thurneham , which as Darel affirms in his Tract de Castellis Cantii , had both its Name and Foundation , from Godardus a Saxon , being called Godard Castle , which is so despicable an Heap , that not the least Crums or Fragments continue of the Ruines , which might signifie to us the lest symptome of its former strength and Grandeur .

Tunstall in the Hundred of Milton , did about the twenty ninth of Henry the third , confess it self to be under the Dominion of Walter de Grey , who was Lord Paramont of this place , but long did not remain invested in the Signory of it ; for in the forty fourth year of Henry the third , I find Iohn de Burgh descended from Hubert de Burgh , in the possession of it : and he that year by the favourable compliance of that Prince , obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Mannors of Norton and Tunstall ; but before the latter end of Edward the first this Family had deserted the Inheritance of this place , and then the next which succeeded proprietarie of it was Thomas de Brotherton Earl of Norfolk , who ending in Daughters and Co-heirs , Margaret one of them ( being first matched to Iohn de Segrave , and afterwards to Walter de Mayney descended from Walter de Meduana or Mayney , who held twenty Knights in this County , in the reign of Henry the third ) brought this to be the Demeasn of her second Husband , Walter de Mayney , a person on whom the Beams of Majestie reflected with so vigorous impression , that he was summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of Edw. the third ; and in whom that Prince reposed so great a confidence , that as Daniel represents to us in his Chronicle , he and his Son Edward the Black Prince , fought under his Colours in a private Habit against Monsieur de Charmy a Frenchman near Calais in Picardy , in the twenty third year of his reign , and deceased full of Fame and of Years in the forty fixth of that Prince : but determined in Anne Mayney his Sole Inheritrix , who by matching with John Hastings Earl of Pembroke linked this Mannor to his Inheritance ; but he dying in the thirteenth year of Richard the second , Reginald Grey , and Richard Talbot were found to be his Heirs , and they bring a pleading , in the fifteenth year of the Prince abovesaid , against John le Scroope , who pretended some Title to his Estate ; and having rescued it from collateral Claim about the beginning of Henry the fourth , conveyed it to Sir Robert Knolles , who in the seventh year of that Prince , passed it by Fine then levied to Sir William Cromer Lord Maior of London ; his Son William Cromer Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth , and was afterwards in the twenty seventh year of that Prince barbarously assassinated by Jack Cade , whilst he endeavoured to impeach that Arch-Incendiarie in his March towards London . He married Elizabeth Daughter of James Fiennes Lord Say and Seal , by whom he had Issue Sir James Cromer Father of Sir Will . Cromer , who was Sheriff of Kent the ninteenth year of Henry the seventh , and the first year of K. Henry the eighth , and George Cromer who was Arch-Bishop of Armagh in Ireland . This Sir William had Issue James Cromer Esquire ; from whom descended Will . Cromer Esq ; his Son and Heir who was Sheriff of Kent the ninth and twenty seventh of Q. Elizabeth , and had Issue Sir James Cromer of Tunstall Knight , Sheriff of Kent in the second year of K. James , in whom the Male-line determined ; so that Francis his Daughter by his first Wife matched to Sir Mathew Carew , Elizabeth his Daughter by his second Wife wedded to Sir Iohn Steed of Steed-hill , and Christian born likewise by that Venter , married to Sir Iohn Hales eldest Son to Sir Edward Hales of Wood-Church , became his Co-heirs . Upon the partition of the Estate , Tunstall was shared by Sir Iohn Hales ; from whom it is now descended to his Son and Heir Sir Edw. Hales Baronet , who lately hath begun to erect , upon the ancient Foundation , a Frabrick of that stupendious Magnificence , that it at once obliges the eye to Admiration and Delight .

Vfton is a place of Repute Seated in this Parish : but it is raised up to a higher estimate , since we find it was anciently parcel of the patrimony of Shurland ; for Robert de Shurland had a concession by Charter of Free-Warren to sundry of his Lands in Kent , amongst which , there is a recital of Vfton : afterwards in Times subsequent to this , by the Heir General of Shurland it was cast into the possession of Cheyney , and Will . de Casineto ( for so this Name is rendred in Latine Records ) or William Cheyney held it at his Death , which was in the eighth year of Edward the third ; and after for many Descents it had layn included in the Interest and proprietie of Cheyney , it was by a Daughter and Heir put into the Demeasn of Astley ; from whom again the like flux of Circumstances bore away the Inheritance , and transferred it to Harlackenden , the instant Lord of Vfton .

Gore-Court in this Parish in Times of elder Derivation was the Seat of a Family whose Sirname was At-Gore , and sometimes in ancient Court-rolls written De la Gore , called so from their Habitation , which was situated near some publick way ; Gare , Gate , and Gore , importting no more in the Saxon Dialect then some common passage . But to proceed : Henry At-Gore held Gore-Court when he deceased , which was in the thirty first year of Edward the third , and for several Generations was the Inheritance knit to his Name till the common Fatalitie of Time , brought it to expire in Alice Gore the Heir General of this place , and of Iohn Gore the last of the Male-line who enjoyed it ; and she disposed of her Concernment in it to Will . Croyden in which Family after the possession had resided , it was alienated to Wood , descended from the Woods of Muston in Hollingbourne , in whom the right of Gore-Court continues still invested .

Tunbridge gives Name to that we style the Lowy of Tunbridge , and is a small Territory within it self , called in old Latine Records Districtus Leuca de Tunbridge , and was formerly subservient to the Dominion of those noble Persons , who were Lords of the Fee . The first of which , was Richard de Clare Earl of Brionie in Normandy , to whom it was by William Rufus granted upon this emergent Occasion . This Richard was an earnest Abettor and supporter likewise of the Designes of this Prince , upon his Brothers Territories in Normandy , and so by consequence an active partisan of his , which made the Breast of Robert Duke of Normandy to boile with such Animosity and passion against Him , that the Flame of his Hatred kindled the Flame of a War which could not be extinguished , but by the Depredation of this Earl's Estate , and the utter subversion of his Castle of Brionie , which was left an Heap of Flame and Ruines , which caused William Rufus to risent his Calamitous Condition with so much Regret and Commiseration , that he granted him as much Land here at Tunbridge , as would spread into a League both in the Extent and Longitude of it , and in the Breadth and Latitude of it likewise ; and Gemeticensis reports that this Richard brought over the Rope with which he was to measure it , in the same Ship which transported him and his Retinue . From this Richard who founded the Castle , the right of Tunbridge was by Descent translated into his Son Gilbert de Clare the first Earl of Hertford and here did the Signory many years find a residence , till Isabel Sister and Coheir of Gilbert de Clare by matching with Hugh Audley , brought this to be the Inheritance of that illustrious Family , where it had not long remained , but Margaret Daughter and Heir of Hugh Audley by marrying with Ralph Stafford made it a Branch of their patrimony : nor did it depart from this Family , till the Vanitie of Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham embarked him in that Design , which the Malice of Cardinal Wolsey aggravated with those Circumstances of Hatred , by blowing of wild Conjectures into the Ears of Henry the eighth , who was naturally a jealous Prince , and emulous of any new blooming Glory , that he was stained with the black Tincture of Treason , which sunk him into an untimely Sepulcher , and his Estate by forfeiture into the possession of the Crown . Edward Duke of Buckingham being thus convicted , in the twelfth year of Henry the eighth , there was a great Controversie started forth , in the thirteenth year of that Prince's reign , as appears by our Law-books , in the Parliament then convened , whether or not there were ground enough in the Crimes objected against him to establish an Attainder upon : and it was carried in the Affirmative that there was ; upon which this Castle , with all the Mannor of Dachhurst , alias Hilden-borough , with all the appendant Services and Quit-rents united to them , did escheat to the Crown , and remained there , until Queen Elizabeth dissevered the Mannor of the Castle from her Interest , and made it by Grant the possession of her Kinsman Henry Lord Hunsdon , whose Son George Lord Hunsdon , about the beginning of King James , passed it with his Daughter and Heir to Thomas Lord Berkley , who conveyed it to Sir John Kenedie , from whom not long after , by the same Conveyance it fell under the divided Signory of Ferrers , Gosson , and Johnson , and they by a mutual Consent sold their Interest in it to Sir Peter Vanlore , by whose three Daughters and Co-heirs , matched to Sir Henry Zinzin , Sir Alexander Sterling , and Robert Crooke Esquire , it is now divided between those three Families . Although the Onsets of Time , and the Assaults of Enemies together , hath thrown the Beauty and Strength into such a rude Confusion , that it now lurks in its own Rubbish ; yet formerly it was eminent for being the Scene of much Feude and Contention , between the Kings of England , and the Barons then in Arms against them .

In the year 1088. Odo Bishop of Bajeux and Earl of Kent , making a Defection from William Rufus , to those Barons who sought to support the Title of his eldest Brother Robert , placed one Gilbert in this Castle , for the Defence of it , which enforced that King to invest it with a Siege , and compelled the Castellan to a Surrender , and afterwards having taken Odo himself , imprisoned him in this Fortress , from whence he afterwards made a successful Escape .

In the year 1215. Falcatius de Brent , during the Military Contests King John had with his Nobility , by Force wrung this Castle from the Earl of Gloucester , and maintained it for some Time with signal Evidences of Magnanimity to the Kings Behoof and Use .

In the year 1231. upon the Decease of Gilbert , the then Earl of Gloucester , seised the Wardship of his Heir , and entrusted the Custody of this Castle to Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent . This occasioned an eager and impetuous Contest between the King , and Richard Arch-bishop of Canterbury ; the Arch-bishop pretended , because the Castle held of his See , therefore he , de Jure , ought to have the Custody of the Heir in his Wardship . To which the King replyed , that the whole Earldome held of him , and that he might commit the Custody of the Lands to whomsoever he pleased . This caused the Arch-bishop , boyling with much Heat and Passion , to Appeal for Redress to Rome , where he managed this Controversie with that vigorous dexterity , that the Pope issued out a solemn determination on his behalf : but his Decease in his Journey homewards , superseded the Execution of the Papal Sentence .

The above-mentioned King Henry , in the year 1259. granted Licence to Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester , to wall and embattle his Town of Tunbridge , in these Words in that Charter , Claudere Muro et Kernellare , which latter Word being made Latine out of the French Charneaux , imports that indented Form of the Top of a Wall , which hath Vent and Crest , commonly called embattelling , very serviceable to the Defendants within , not only to annoy the Enemy , but likewise to shroud and secure himself from the Fury of any outward Assault .

This Mode of Fortification was in elder Time with much Caution prohibited within this Nation , out of a Jealousie that it might foment any inward Sedition , and was therefore , amongst many other Articles , inquirable before the Escheator de Domibus Kerneliatis . But the War breaking out not long after this , between the King and Simon de Montfort , to whose Interest the Earl of Gloucester was by a Solemn Combination closely united , the Grant of the above-mentioned King was made ineffectual , and not the least Symptoms of the intended Wall are at this instant visible .

In the year 1263. the War growing hot between Henry the third , and Simon de Montfort , the King sets down before Tunbridge-castle , and forces it to snrrender to discretion ; and therein found , amongst others , the Countess of Gloucester . From whence I collect , that in those Times it was esteemed , if not the only , yet at least a principal Mansion , of those great Lords of Tunbridge , the Earls of Gloucester .

In the first year of Edward the first , there was a Summons issued forth by Hugh de Bigod Earl of Norfolk , and Governour of the Hundred of Hoo , to injoyn Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester , to appear before him to assoil himself from such Accusations , as should be objected against him , which principally had an Aspect upon the War waged by him and Simon Montfort against Henry the third . To which he alleadged in his Defence , that he ought not to answer , but before the Kings Justices of Eyre ; upon which a Commission was issued out , in the third year of Edward the first , to heare and decide the Controversie , and Sir Stephen de Penchester , and John de Rigate , were the two Justices appointed by the King for the final determination of it : and they upon a serious winnowing of the whole Matter in Debate , did absolve the said Richard from the Crimes with which he had been unjustly bespattered ; and the rather , because as to the principal part of them , they had been before entombed in the pacification of Killingworth , made in the fiftieth year of Henry the third .

After this , I cannot find by that ancient Manuscript , they style the Chronicle of Tunbridge , that there was any signal Action commenced at this place , because the Castle with all its perquisites , not long after by the Heir of Audley , coming into the possession of Stafford , they planted themselves at Stafford-castle , their principal residence ; and so this Fortress being neglected and deserted , languished away insensibly into decay and ruine : only in the reign of Edward the first , I find that upon an Inquisition or Survey of the Priviledges of the Earls of Gloucester , as they were Lords of Tunbridge , it was concluded that the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had nothing to do within the Lowy or League : That the Earl had Return of Writs , Creation of certain Officers , an especial Sessions in Eyre ; all which by Intermission are shrunk long since into disuse .

In the year 1264. to allay all emergent Controversie for the future ; Boniface the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Richard Earl of Glocester , decreed that there should be a Perambulation made concerning their respective Bounds : and it was not long after likewise concluded between the patties abovesaid , that Earl Richard should hold his Mannor of Tunbridge , and other Lands of the Arch-bishop by the Service of four Knights Fees , and to be high Steward , and high Butler , which Office was likewise to be transmitted to his Successors , at the Feast of the Arch-bishops Inthronization , taking for their Service in the Stewardship , seven competent Robes of Scarlet , thirty Gallons of Wine , thirty pound of Wax for his Lights , Livery of Hay and Oats to feed fourscore Horse for two Nights , the Dishes and Salt which should stand before the Arch-bishop in that Feast ; and at their departure , the Diet of three Dayes at the Sole Expence of the Arch-bishop , at four of their Mannors , in any of the four Quarters of Kent , wheresoever they pleased to fix ad minuendum sanguinem ; so they repaired thither with fifty Horses only . To his Office of chief Butlership was allotted seven Robes like the former , twenty Gallons of Wine , fifty pound of Wax for furnishing out of Lights , Livery for sixty Horse for two Nights , the Cup wherewith the Arch-bishop should be served , all the empty Hogsheads of Beer , and for six Tun of Wine , so many as should be drunk under the Bar also . The Articles of which Composition in Times subsequent to this Compact , were punctually performed between the Successors of either Party .

First , in the year 1295. between Gilbert Earl of Gloucester , and Robert Winchelsey ; next , between the said Earl , and Arch-bishop Reynolds ; then between Hugh Audley the Earl of Gloucester , and the Arch-bishop John Stratford ; after that , between Hugh Stafford Earl of Stafford , to whom the Castle and Mannor of Tunbridge , did devolve in right of the Heir General of Audley , and Simon Sudbury ; and lastly , between William Warham the Arch-bishop , and Edward Stafford the last Duke of Buckingham of that Name , in whose untimely Sepulcher these two great Offices found their final Enterment , and he executed the Stewardship in his own person , and the Butlership by his deputed Delegate Sir Thomas Bourchier Knight .

The Priory of Tunbridge was founded by Richard de Clare , in the year of Grace 1191. and stored with Canons Regular , or Canons of St. Augustins , and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen , which upon the Petition of the Founder , was confirmed by Pope Celestin , in the same year it was erected .

In the year 1353. an unhappy Fire seised upon it , which almost reduced the whole Structure into Ashes : to ballance which Dysaster , the Church of Leigh was appropriated to this Covent , that by this additional support , this Cloister thus defaced with Flame might again recover its former , not only Bulk , but Splendor likewise .

Somerhill is now an eminent Seat in this Parish , and was certainly in elder Times allotted , as a Mansion , or place of Residence by the Earls of Gloucester to those Gentlemen who were Bailiffs of their great Chase called South-Frith , one of whom was Richard de Philpot of Philpots in Leigh , not far distant , who flourished here , in the reign of Henry the third , and is written in an old Deed , Balivus Forestae de Tunbridge sub Ricardo Comite de Clare . After him I find , one Nicholas Charles exercised this Office , and flourished in it , in the reign of Edward the second : and when he went out , divers of the Family of Colepeper and Vane , who were Lords of much Land here about Tunbridge , were successively invested in it , whose Names it would be too tedious and impertinent to enumerate . But to return : That this Seat was anciently destined and devoted to the Uses above recited , is very probable , because it is situated on the Verge and exterior Margent of the Forrest , and so by its commodious position , had a peculiar Aspect upon those Affairs , wherein this Chase and its Jurisdiction was concerned . In fine , after it had been subservient and ministerial for many hundred years to the successive Signory of the several Families of Clare , Audley , and Stafford , it was in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , by that infortunate person Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham , who was crushed into an heap of Ruines , by those dark and black Engins , which Cardinal Wolsey , that subtle Artificer of Mischief , had raised upon him , was with much other Land forfeited to the Crown , and Queen Elizabeth about the middle of her reign , by Royal Concession made it the Demeasne of her faithful Servant Sir Francis Walsingham , principal Secretary of Estate , who dying without Issue-male , left it to his Daughter and Heir Frances , who was first matched to the Invaluable Sir Philip Sidney ; secondly , to Robert Earl of Essex ; and thirdly , to Richard Burgh Earl of Clanrickard , created Earl of St. Albans , August the twenty third , in the year 1628. to whose Son Vlike Burgh , lately Earl of St. Albans and Clanrickard , she bequeathed this Mannor of Somerhill .

Hilden is another Mannor in Tunbridge , and was , as high as I can track any Record , the possession of the Noble Family of Vane , who are written in very old Deeds , A Vane , and was certainly their ancient Seat ; before , by matching with the Heir of Stidolfe , they became possessors of Badsell . Henry A Vane makes his Will in the year 1456. He was the Son of John A Vane , who flourished at this place , in the reign of Edward the third : but his Predecessors enjoyed it , as appears by Original Evidences , many years before . From Henry Vane it came over to John a Vane , whose Son John Vane , in the tenth year of Henry the seventh , conveyed it by Sale to Dixon , descended originally from the Dixons of Scotland , Gentlemen of no despicable Account in that Nation , and in their possession hath it , ever since the first purchase , been constantly setled .

Dachurst , aliàs Hilden-borough , had the same Possessors still with Tunbridge , and being forfeited , in the thirteenth year of Henry the eighth , by Edw. Stafford Duke of Buckingham , its Demeasne was in the fourteenth year of that Prince , granced to William Skeffington Esquire , in whose Descendant the propriety is yet resident : but the Mannor it self rested in the Crown , until not many years since it was conveyed by the State to Colonel Robert Gibbons of Hole in Rolvenden .

Bardens and Hadloe are two little Mannors in Tunbridge , both which had Owners of that Sirname . John de Barden held the first , as the Book of Aide informs us , and paid respective Aide for it , at making the Black Prince Knight , in the twentieth year of Edward the third : and the dateless Evidences relating to Hadloe , do assure us both of the Antiquity and Truth of the second . And in the Tenure of the first did Bardens remain , until the reign of Henry the fourth , and then changed its Owner , and came entirely to be possest by Hadloe , but remained not long in his Name ; for John Hadlow dying without Issue , Alice his Sister married to John Woodward , became his Heir ; and she in her Widowhood , about the latter end of Henry the sixth , passed away Bardens to John Hopdey , and he in the thirty eighth of Henry the sixth , alienated his Right to William Hextall : but Hadloe devolved to John Woodward , Son of John Woodward abovesaid , and he in the thirty seventh of Henry the sixth , demises all his Interess in Hadloe to William and Henry Hextall : and he the same year by Deed releases all his Right in Hadloe to William ; which William , not many years after dying without Issue-male , Margaret his Sole Daughter and Heir , brought these two Mannors to be the Inheritance of her Husband William Wherenhall Esquire , whose Son William Whetenhall Esquire , about the middle of Henry the eighth , passed away Bardens to Andrew Judde Esquire ( who erected the Alms-houses here at Tunbridge ) and Hadloe to William Waller Esquire . Judde died without Issue-male , and left his Estate to Alice his Sole Heir , matched to Thomas Smith Esquire , vulgarly called Customer Smith , and he upon his Decease gave Bardens to his second Son Sir Thomas Smith of London , in whose Descendants the Title yet is resident : but Hadloe descended to Richard Waller , Son to William abovesaid , who about the forty second year of Elizabeth , alienated it to George Stacy , and he about the beginning of King James , demised it again to Bing , whose Successor Mr. John Bing , in our Remembrance passed it away to Mr. David Polhill Esquire , whose Grand-child Mr. David Polhill , upon the late Decease of that his Grand-father is now entituled to the possession of it .

Hollenden is the last place in Tunbridge to be taken notice of , which spreads its appendant Demeasne into the Parish of Leigh , and was in Ages of a very high Gradation , parcel of the Patrimony of the ancient Family of Fremingham : for in the fifty fifth year of Henry the third , I find that Ralph de Fremingham obtained a Charter of Free-warren to several of his Mannors in Kent , in the Register of which was Hollenden . In Times of a more modern Aspect , that is , about the reign of Henry the fourth , I find it by some old Court-rols to be the Cheyneys , and there are several parcels of Land that relate to this Mannor , which are adopted into their Name , and are called Cheyneys Fields ; and in this Family did the Mannor continue , until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then it was alienated to Waller , to whose Inheritance it continued united , until that Age which fell within the Circle of our Fathers Cognisance , and then it was passed away to Crittenden , which Family at this instant is entituled to the Signory of it . But part of the Demeasne which is spread into Leigh , was about the beginning of Henry the seventh , conveyed to Stacy , whose Successor almost in our Remembrance alienated it to Turner , and he not many years since demised it to James Pelset .

Tuydley , anciently written Twidley , lies in the Hundreds of Wachlingstone and Twyford , and was not worth the Consideration , were it not for Badsell ; where a Family who extracted their Sirname from hence , had long since their Habitation , from whom by a Daughter and Co-heir the Inheritance went into Stidulph , from whom the Stidulphs or Stidolfes of Surrey are originally branched out ; a Noble Family certainly , and of eminent Genealogy , there being frequent mention in that Book , which they call the Survey of the Lowey of Tunbridge , taken in the fourteenth year of Edward the fourth , of this Name and Family : but when the successive mutation of Time had crumbled the Name of Stidolfe at this place into a Daughter and Heir , called Agnes , upon her espousals with John Vane , Badsell became incorporated into the Interest and Concernment of that Family , and by a Communicative Right issuing out from this Alliance , does Milmay Fane now Earl of Westmerland entitle himself to the instant proprietie and possession of Tuydley and Badsell .

Kippings Crosse in Tuydley hath been ( as appears by several old Dateless Evidences and other Monuments ) for many hundred years the Seat and Inheritance of Kippings , who bore for their Coat Armour , as it appears exemplified and confirmed to Robert Kipping of Brenchley Gentleman the fifth of September , in the thirty seventh year of Henry the eighth , Loringeè Or and Azure upon a chief Gules A Lion passant Or langued and armed Azure . But this Family after such a vast continuance here and at Brenchley , not many yeart since determined in two Daughters and Co-heirs : Dorothy the eldest was married to Edward Darrell Esquire , second Son to Sir Robert Darrell of Calchill , and Mr. James Darrell fourth Son of Sir Robert above mentioned , and now secondly to Thomas Henshaw of Kensington Esquire , descended from the ancient Family of Henshaw of Henshaw in Cheshire .

V. V. V. V.

ULcomb in the Hundred of Eyhorne was the patrimony of St. Legers ( writen in Latin Records de Sancto Leodegario . ) Sir Robert de Sancto Leodegario entred into England with Will. the Conquerour , and was of that high repute , that , according to the received Tradition of this Family , he with his Hand supported that Prince , when he first went out of his Ship to Land in Sussex ; afterwards , when in the twentieth of that King's Government , there was an universal Survey taken of each Mans particular Demeasn , thoroughout the Nation , who was of any Account or Eminence , which we call Dooms-day Book , there is a recital of the above mentioned Robert de St. Leger to have held Lands at Ulcomb , which the Evidences of this Family do inform us , were taken from a Pagan Dane whom he before had conquered , and who inhabited at this place . Guy de St. Leger , as Mr. Fuller discovers to us in his Ecclesiastical History , was appointed by William the Conquerour to be an Assistant Knight to Adelmere one of the Monks of Ely . Raefe de St. Leger is registred in the Roll of those Kentish Gentlemen , who accompanied Richard the first to the Siege of Acon , and , as the Inscription on his Leaden Shroud in the Vault of this Church does signifie , was engaged in the Holy Quarrel fifteen years . Another Rafe St. Leger , and Hugh St. Leger were Recognitores magnae Assisae in the second year of K. John . Sir Rafe de St. Leger , Sir Jo. de St. Leger , and Sir Tho. St. Leger , were with Edw. the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in the twenty eighth year of his Reign ; and for their signal Atchievements there received the Order of Knighthood . Indeed in times subsequent to this there was scarse almost any noble and generous undertaking , but the Annals of our English History represent a St. Leger concerned and interessed in it . And for their Collateral Alliances by which they became knit in Consanguinitie to several illustrious Families , none in that particular have been more Successeful then themselves : Sir Thomas St. Leger second Brother to Sir Rafe St. Leger married Anne Dutchesse of Exeter , Sister to King Edward the fourth , and so became twisted into the Family of that Prince , by a Nearness of Alliance , as he had before been taken into his Bosome by a union of Friendship , by whom he had only Ann his Daughter and Heir , who was wedded to Sir George Manners L. Rosse ; from whom the Earls of Rutland are in a direct Line branched out : Sir James St. Leger this mans Brother matched with Anne one of the Co-heirs of Thomas Boteler Earl of Ormond ; from whom the St. Legers of the County of Devon were extracted ; out of which Stem was Sir William St. Leger , who was Lord President of Munster in Ireland , one thousand six hundred forty and two : Sir Anthony St. Leger Father of Sir Warham , was Lord Deputy of Ireland , which place he managed with much of Prudence and Magnanimity ; his second Son Sir Anthony St. Leger Father to Sir Anthony St. Leger now of Wierton House in Boughton Monchensie , died Master of the Rolls in Ireland ; which Office he discharged with a great deal of Faith and no less integrity ; Thus have I in Landskip pourtraied this noble Family , which in an undivided Chain of Descent was setled at Ulcomb from the Conquerour's Time even till of late , and then Sir Anthony St. Leger alienated his right in it , which was grown reverend by a prescription of so many Ages , to Serjeant Clerk of Rochester , Father to Mr. Francis Clerk , descended from Henry Clerk , who was second Brother to Sir John Clerk , who took the Duke of Longuevil prisoner at the Battle fought between Bomy and Spours .

The Church of Ulcomb belonged to Christ-Church in Canterbury and being Snatched away was restored by K. Edmund in the year 941. And about 430 years since was made a Collegiate Church by Stephen Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and the Head thereof was called Arch-presbyter .

Boycot is another Mannor in Ulcomb , which afforded both Seat and Sirname to a Family of that Denomination , as appears by several old Deeds , some of which are without Date , which remember Stephen de Boycot , John de Boycot , and Alexander Boycot , which last flourished here in the Reign of Edward the third , and Richard the second ; and from him did it by paternal Delegation devolve to John Boycot ; and he had Issue John Boycot and Stephen Boycot , one which sold his Proportion which accrued to him by the custome of Gavelkind to Richard Hovenden , and the other by the like alienation transmitted his Interest in it to William Adam , from whom it came over by Donation to Thomas Glover , as is specified in the Deed of Sale , by which the above-mentioned person in the first year of Henry the seventh , alienates it to Richard Hovenden . After Hovenden was crumbled away , it came by purchase to be the possession of Clerk of Wood-Church , the last of which Name which was entituled to the Inheritance was Humphrey Clerk Esquire , who in the ninteenth of Q. Elizabeth alienated it to Thomas Sands , and he in the twentieth year of the abovesaid Princess , conveyed it to the Lady Elizabeth Berkley , whose Grand-child Mr. ....... Berkley Esquire , is now proprietarie of it .

Kingsnoth is the last Mannor in Vlcomb : It was part of that Demeasn which related to the Abby of Feversham , and continued united to its patrimony , until the publick Dissolution filed it off , and then it became the Interest of the Crown , until Henry the eighth in the thirty second of his reign granted it to Sir Anthony St. Leger Knight of the Garter , Lord Deputy of Ireland , and one of his Privy Councel , whose Son Sir Warham St. Leger in the tenth year of Q. Elizabeth conveyed it to William Isley Esquire , who not long after passed it away to Anthony Sampson , who in the twenty first year of Q. Elizabeth alienated it to James Austin ; and he in the year 1599 sold it to Robert Cranmer , who dying without Issue Male , Anne his Daughter and Heir brought it along with her to her Husband Sir Arthur Harris of Crixey in Essex , who upon his Decease gave it to his second Son Mr. John Harris and his Son and Heir Mr. Cranmer Harris of Lincolns Inne enjoys the instant Inheritance of it .

Vp-Church in the Hundred of Milton , was in elder Times in the Register of those Lands , Mannors , and Hereditaments , which owned the dominion of the illustrious Family of Leybourn . Rog. de Leybourn in the fiftieth year of H. the third had a Grant to hold his Lands at Hartlip , Reinham , and Up-Church , by the fourth part of a Knights Fee , and from him did the Clew of successive Descent in a continued Track transport it to his Great Grand-child Juliana de Leybourne Widow of John de Hastings ( not Father of Laurence de Hastings E. of Pembroke , as some have erroneously printed , but his Kinsman ) and next of William de Clinton Earl of Huntington , whom she survived , and died possest of this Mannor in the forty third year of Edward the third , and as the inquisition after her Decease informs us , without any Issue or kindred who might supersede the Interest of the Crown , by pretending a direct or Collateral Title to her Estate : so that King Edward the third by escheat became invested in this Mannor , as a Limb of the Estate thus acquired , who in the fiftieth year of his reign , setled it on the Abby of St. Mary Grace on Tower-hill , of his Foundation and Endowment ; and having remained treasured up in the Revenue of that Cloister , untill the general suppression , it was then plucked off , and by King Henry the eighth granted in the thirty first of his Reign to Thomas Green Esquire , whose Descendant in our Fathers memory passed away his Concernment in it to Apsley .

Ham , Sharpenash , and West-court , are three little Mannors situated within the Circuit of this Parish , and were parcel of that Patrimony , which related to the Abby of St. Augustins : which upon the Dissolution of that Fraternity ( the vast Demeasn which appertained to it , being more hainous in the Eyes of Henry the eighth , than those Crimes and Offences though peradventure of a Complexion dark enough , which were charged upon the Covent ; ) He , I mean the Prince abovesaid , ravished them away from the patrimony of the Church , to incorporate and interweave them with the Revenue of the Crown , where their Title and proprietie was not long lodged ; for K. Hen. the eighth conveyed them by Grant to Will . Hach , descended from Hach of Aller in Devon , who not long after passed them away to Tho. Green Esq ; written in his Deeds , alià Norton : where , after the possession of them , had some years continued the Interest of all these Mannors , was by the Mutation of Sale , transported into Aldersey , Ancestor to Captain Terry Aldersey of Swanton Court in Bredgar , now Lord of the Fee and Signory of these above recited places .

W. W. W. W.

WAldershare in the Hundred of Eastry , was in elder Times the Seat of an eminent Family called Malmains . John de Malmains is recorded in an Ancient Roll of those Gentlentemen which entred England with William the Conquerour , and engaged with him at the Battle of Battle . John de Malmains , as Mr. Fuller in his Ecclesiastical History does represent to us was Standard Bearer to the Norman Footmen , and was joyned by William the Conquerour as an Assistant Knight to Otho one of the Monks of Ely . Henry Malmains is registred in the Bed-roll of those Kentish Gentlemen who assisted Richard the first at the Siege of Acon . See more of this Family of Malmains in the Catalogue of Sheriffs . John de Malmains is registred in the Pipe rolls amongst those who were Recognitores Magnae Assisae in the reign of K. John , a place of that Latitude of Trust and Authority , that those who managed it were frequently selected out of the chiefest Knights and most eminent Gentlemen of the County . Sir Nicholas de Malmains was engaged with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland in the twenty eighth of his reign , and for his worthy undertaking there received the Dignity of Knighthood , and from him did Waldershare descend to Nicholas de Malmains , who died possest of this and much other Land in the twenty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 160. and from him descended Henry Malmains his Grand-child , who dying about the beginning of Henry the fourth without Issue Male left his Estate here at Waldershare to Agnes his sole Daughter and Heir matched to Thomas Goldwell of Great Chart : yet had this Henry a Kinsman called Thomas Malmains Son of John Malmains , who had a considerable share of this Mannor of Waldershare , which by his Heir General devolved to John Monins Esquire , who about the beginning of Henry the sixth , purchased all that Demeasn and Interest which Tho. Goldwell was entituled to here , and so became sole Lord of Waldershare . This John Monins was descended from John Monins , who in the twentieth year of Edw. the third held Lands at Swink-field , as appears by the Book of Aid , by the Title of Esquire , and was allied to William Monings or Monins , ( for in old Records they are written so promiscuously ) who was several times Knight of the Shire for Norfolk , as appears by the Record in the Tower , whose Title is De Expensis Militum in the time of Richard the second ; and John Monins this Mans Son was a person of so eminent Notice in this County , that he obtained an Indulgence under the Seal of Sixtus the fourth , bearing Date 1474 , to carry along with him a Priest and a portable Altar for celebration of divine Offices in his necessary Journeyings ; and John Monins this Man's Grand-child , and Son of Robert , compounds with Tho. Hobbys in the twentieth year of Hen. the seventh for ten Marks as part of his Fine to be excused from being made Knight of the Bath at the creation of Henry his Son Prince of Wales : Edward Monins Esq ; was Justice of the Peace for Kent the latter part of the reign of Henry the eighth : and he was Ancestor to Sir William Monins , who was made Knight and Baronet the twenty ninth day of June in the ninth year of K. James by the Name of Sir William Monings of Waldershare , and from him is not onely this Title , but likewise the signory of this Mannor now devolved by paternal right to his Son and Heir Edward Monins Baronet .

Walmer is a Member of Sandwich , and so in no Hundred : It was one of those principal Seats which owned the jurisdiction and signory of the noble and spreading Family of Crioll , written frequently likewise Keriel . The first , whom I find to be possest of it , was Matilda de Criol Widow of Simon de Crioll , and she in right of Dower was in possession of it at her Death , which was in the fifty second of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 34. The next of this Name whom the Beams of publick Record represent to me to be possessor of it , was Nicholas de Crioll , who enjoyed it at his Death , which was in the thirty first of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 39. In Ages of a nearer Approach unto us , Iohn de Crioll in the forty ninth year of Edward the third died seised of it , and so did William Keriell in the first year of Henry the fifth ; Rot. Esc . Num. 21. and left it to his Son Sir John Crioll of Sarre in Thanet , ( who , as an old Pedigree of this Family informs me ) was in eminent Command under Henry the fifth in his successful Expedition into France , having the Conduct of several Kentish Squadrons at the Battle of Agincourt , and died laden more with Honour then with Years in the ninth year of Henry the sixth , and left Sir Thomas Crioll or Keriell , Knight of the Gatter , Heir both of his Estate and Virtues : of whom because our Chronicles speak so much , I shall not be silent . He was Governor of Gourney in Normandy , in the ninth year of Henry the sixth under John Duke of Bedford the Regent ; not farre from which Place , he defeated the Earl of Britaine and in that discomfiture slew six Hundred , and took two Hundred Prisoners . In the fourteenth year of Henry the sixth , the Duke of Burgundy infested Crotoy with a Siege , which being successefully raised by the Lord Talbot , Sir Thomas Keriell assaults his Rear with that Courage , that he forced that Duke to a Disorderly Retteat , leaving his Canon and Carriages behind him , as the Reward of his Valour and Fortune . In the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth , he was sent over into France with fifteen hundred men as a fresh supply to buoy up the sincking Affairs of the English in that Nation , with which he recovered many pieces of strength : but overlaid with Multitude in an Encounter at Formigney by the Earl of Clermont and the Constable of France , after he had with unparallel'd Testimonies of personal Courage endeavoured to preserve the Fortune of the Day , he received a Defeat ; the Enemy buying his Victory at so dear a rate , that it almost undid the Purchaser . Lastly , his Fate cast him into that Civil Contest , which broke out between the two Houses of York and Lancaster , and being satisfied with the Justice of those principles upon which the first had engaged in Arms , became an eager Assertor of its Claim to the Diadem , and having enbarked himself with Richard Earl of Warwick then the Atlas of that Faction , in defence of it , at the second Battle of St. Albans perished in the Ruines of that Field , and by an unstained though a Calamitous Fidelity , became the great Example of Loyalty to the House of York . And he dying without Issue-male , one of his Daughters and Co-heirs , by matching with John Fogge of Repton Esquire , brought this Mannor upon the partition of the Estate between Fogge and Bourchier , who wedded the other , to be annexed to the Demeasn of that Family , and upon his Decease it descended to his Son Thomas Fogge Serjeant Porter of Callis , who dying without Issue-male , Anne Fogge who was one of his two Daughters and Co-heirs , Aregrim a Saxon held the Mannor of Minshull in Cheshire , ( as Dooms-day Book testifies ) in the Time of the Conquerour ut liber homo . first matching with William Scot , and afterwards to Henry Isham , brought this to be parcel of the Inheritance of her second Husband ; but his Son Edward Isham , about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth , concluding in Mary Isham his onely Inheritrix , she by espousing Sir George Perkins united it to his Patrimony and he setled the Reversion of it after his Wives decease upon Mary his Daughter married to Sir Richard Minshull of Cheshire , created Baron of Minshull 1642 , ( descended from that eminent Souldier Michael de Minshul , who for his glorious service performed in the Quarrel of Richard the first at the Siege of Acon , had the assignment for ever of the Crescent and Star for the Coat-Armour of this Family . ) And he and the Lady Mary Perkins concurring in a joynt Sale , passed it away in the second of King Charles to James Hugison of Lingsted , whose Son John Hugison Esquire , by descendant right is entituled to the Possession of it .

Waltham ( in the Hundreds of Bredge , Petham , and Stowting ) was anciently a Member of that Revenue ; which acknowledged the Interess of the Knights Templers , as appears by a Survey taken of this Mannor , in the year of Grace , one thousand one hundred and eighty , and registred in the Book styled de Terris Templariorum , which is preserved in the Remembrancers Office in the Exchequer : and in that Survey , there is mention made of Ivo de Haut , who held Lands at that Time of Temple Waltham , lying at Petham not far distant , which justifies the Antiquity of that Name in this Track . Upon the total suppression and extinction of this Order here in England , on pretence of some prodigious Crimes stuck upon it ( which whether they were imaginary or real , must be discussed in that Critical Day , when the secrets of all Hearts , and the Bottome of all Secrets shall be opened ; ) this Mannor of Waltham , was in the seventeenth year of Edward the second , by Grant invested in the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem , commonly called the Knights Hospitalers , and here in this Order it rested , until the reign of Henry the eighth : and then being dissolved , by that impetuous Tempest , which like a Hurricano , fell upon this and all other Conventual Orders in this Nation , it was swallowed up in the Revenue of the Crown , and there lay couched , till the latter part of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was , in the forty second year of her swaying the English Scepter , granted to John Manwaring Esquire , from whom by Hope Manwaring his Daughter and Heir , the Interess went to Humphrey Hamond : upon whose Decease , she was re-married to Sir Robert Stapylton , a Person who hath erected his own everlasting Tomb and Epitaph , in those exquisite Translations of his , of Pliny's Panegyrick to Trajan , Juvenal's Satyrs ; and lastly , Strada's History of the Wars , and other Transactions of the Low Countries , who by purchase from his Son in Law Mr. Manwaring Hamond , holds the instant Fee-simple of it .

Eshmerfeild is another eminent Mannor in Waltham , and cals for some Respective Account ; because in Ages of a higher pedigree , it confessed it self in the Revenual of the signal Family of Crioll ; for Bertram de Crioll , possest it at his Death , which was in the twenty third year of Edward the first , and though he expired in a Daughter and Heir , yet it continued still in the Tenure of a younger House , until Bennet Daughter and Co-heir of Sir Thomas Crioll , who was slain at the second Battle of St. Albans , brought it to her Husband John Fogge Esquire , whose Son Thomas Fogge , about the beginning of Henry the seventh , alienated his Right and Concernment in it to Sir Thomas Kempe , in which Family the Inheritance remained until the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was passed by Sir Thomas Kempe this mans Grandchild to Roger Twisden Esquire , whose Grandchild Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet , conveyed it to Sir John Ashburnham : to whose Widow the Lady Ashburnham it accrued upon his Decease , as having been before by speciall Compact made part of her Dower , so that she at this instant , hath the Use of the emergent profits and income of it .

Whetacre is another small Mannor , that lies within the Circle of this Parish , not worth the memorial , were it not for a Family which extracted its Sirname from hence ; for I find Nigellus de Whetacre mentioned in the Book of Aide , to have held Lands here , in the twentieth of Edward the third : In Times of a lower Date , that is , about the reign of Henry the sixth , I find the Family of Hels or Hils , descended from the Hels of Hels-court in Woditon to be planted in the possession : and in this Name was the Interest of it constant , until the beginning of Edward the sixth , and then it was alienated to Prude , whose Successor couveyed it to Alderman Cockain of London , from whom the same Stream of Vicissitude carried it into Beacon .

Watringbury in the Hundred of Twiford , was , in Ages of a very high Gradation , the Patrimony of a Family which enjoyed that Sirname , and held not only the Mannor of Watringbury it self : but Chart and Fowls , which lie within the Precincts of this Parish likewise ; and bore for their Coat-Armous Argent six Lionceux Rampant Sables : in assimilation , I believe , of the Lord Leybourne his Neighbour , who was a Person of a vast power , and no less Estate in this Track : but before the latter end of Henry the third , this Family was extinguished and vanished , and then the next Family which stept into the possession of these places , upon the extinction of this , was the Noble Family of Leybourne of Leybourne-castle . Thomas de Leybourne held it at his Decease , which was in the first year of Edward the second , and transmitted them to his Successor Roger de Leybourne , who died seised of them , in the beginning of Edward the third , and left only one Daughter and Heir , called Juliana Leybourne , who in Relation to that vast proportion of Revenue which accrued to her upon his Decease , was styled the Infanta of Kent , she was first married to John de Hastings a Kinsman of Lawrence de Hastings who was Earl of Pembroke , who dying without any Issue surviving by this Lady , upon his Decease she chose for her second Husband , William de Clinton Earl of Huntington ; but by him likewise had no Issue as appears by the Inquisition taken after her Death , which was in forty third year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 57. nor could there be any discovered , that by collateral Affinity to this Lady by her Fathers side could elude the Escheat , by pretending a Title to the Estate , so that it devolved to the Crown , as the Common Heir , Jure patronatûs , as the Civillians call it , by Right of patronage and protection : and King Edward the third , in the fiftieth year of his reign , granted Watringbury , Chart , and Fowles , which were parcel of the above-mentioned Revenue of Leybourne to the Abby of St. Mary Grace upon Tower-hill : in whose Revenue they lay couched till the general suppression , in the twenty ninth of Henry the eighth , and then they were by that Prince , in the thirty sixth year of his reign , granted to Giles Bridges , and Robert Harris , who immediately after passed them away to Sir Robert Southwell , from whom by as quick a Transition they went away to Sir Edward North , and he alienated them to Sir Martin Bowes , from whom they passed away to Sir Iohn Baker , who suddainly after devested himself of his Right to them , and sold them to Nevill de la Hay ; where it is to be noted that these Revolutions of the Title fell out in less then thirty year . Nevill de la Hay had Issue George de la Hay , who about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , passed away Watringbury to Wilkinson , and Chart and Fowles to Roger Twisden Esquire ; Wilkinson in our Fathers Memory conveyed Watringbury by Sale to Sir Tho. Stile Knight and Baronet , Father to Sir Tho. Stile Baronet the instant proprietary of it . Chert and Fowls , descended to Sir William Twisden Knight and Baronet , Father to Sir Roger Twisden , now possessor of them both , to whose Papers I owe for the latter part of my Intelligence concerning the successive Possessors of these above recited Mannors .

I had almost forgot to inform the Reader , that in the fourth year of Edward the second , Henry de Leybourne , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Lands at Watringbury ; amongst which Chart in this Parish is particularly recited .

Westbery is another Mannor in this Parish , which had anciently proprietaries of that Sirname ; the last of which Name was Iohn Westbery , who deceased without Issue , and so transmitted his Right in it by Testament to Agnes Ellis his Neece , and she in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth , alienated her Interess in it to Richard Fishbourne , in whom it was not long resident ; for he in the thirty third year of that Prince , conveyed it by Sale to Sir Thomas Browne of Bechworth-castle in Surrey , Controller of the House , and Privy Councellor to Henry the sixth ; from whom by an even Stream of Descent the Title flowed down to his Successor Sir Thomas Browne , who in the twenty fifth year of Queen Elizazeth , passed it away to Roger Twisden Esquire , Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Knight and Baronet , in whom the present proprietie of this place is resident .

Canons is the last Mannor in this Parish . It is called so , because it anciently belonged to the Prior and Canons of Leeds ; and , after it had for many Ages rested in the Demeasne of this Convent , it was by the Dissolution , in the reign of Henry the eighth , which like a general Inundation broke in upon the Patrimony of the Church , swept away : but was by Grant from that Prince suddainly after setled on the Dean and Chapter of Rochester , and made a Branch of their Revenue .

Watringbury had the Grant of a weekly Market on the Tuesday , and a three dayes Fair at the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist , both procured to it by Hugh de Leybourne , in the fourth year of Edward the second .

East-Well in the Hundred of Wye , was anciently the possession of a Family , which extracted its Sirname from hence , Matilda de Eastwell held it at her Decease , which was in the fifty second year of Henry the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 32. But soon after this , this Family was faded away at this place , and then it devolved to be a Limbe of that Revenue , which acknowledged the Jurisdiction and possession of Bertram de Crioll , and he held it , in the twenty third year of Edward the first : but his Son John Crioll dying without Issue , about the beginning of Edward the third , it came down to Richard de Rokesley , Seneschall and Governour of Ponthieu and Monstreul , as appears , Pat. 1. Edwardi secundi , in the reign of Edward the second , who had married Joan Sole Daughter , and now Heir of Bertram de Crioll : but the same Vicissitude , not long after carried it off from this Name ; for he went out likewise in two Daughters and Co-heirs , one of whom called Agnes , by matching with Thomas de Poynings emtombed the Name in his Family , and the Estate here at East-well , and else-where , in his Patrimony : but ( as one ingeniously observes ) the World it self , is but a great Ball cast down into the Aire to sport the Stars , and all the depopulations of Kingdomes , and ruine of Empires , is but their pastime ; so I may likewise infer , that great Families , from their tumblings and rollings , are but the mockery and disports of Time , and so it appeared here ; for Richard Lord Poynings , Successor to the abovesaid Thomas , died the eleventh year of Richard the second , and left his Estate here to his Sole Daughter and Heir , Eleanor matched to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland , in whose right he became Lord Poynings , and so Eastwell became linked to his Revenue , and dwelt in this Name , and supported the Signory of Percy , untill the Fate of Sale dissodged it ; for in the twenty third year of Henry the eighth , Henry Earl of Northumberland passes it away to Sir Thomas Cheyney , William Walsingham , and William Fitz Williams , and they not long after conveyed it to Sir Christopher Hales , Attorney General to Henry the eighth , and he died possest of it , in the thirty third year of that Prince , and left it to his Son Sir James Hales , who not long after alienated it to Sir Thomas Moile , Chancellour of the Court of Augmentations , who erected almost all that stupendious Fabrick , which now so obliges the Eye to Admiration , and left it to Sir Thomas Finch , who had married Katharine his Daughter and Co-heir , a Gentleman who merited a calmer Fate , and a Nobler Tomb ; for after many gallant Archievements performed at Newhaven in France , he suffered Shipwrack in his return to England , and left it to his Son Sir Moile Finch , who very much inlarged Eastwell-court , with both sumptuous elegant and convenient Additaments , and left it in Dower to his Widow Elizabeth Finch , Daughter and Heir of Sir Thomas Heneage first created Viscountess Maidstone by King James , and after Countess of Winchelsey , in the year 1638. by King Charles : from whom both the Honour , and East-well descended to her Son Thomas Earl Wenchelsey , and from him to his Son , the Right Honorable Heneage Finch now Earl of Winchelsey , and Viscount Maidston .

Since I am so happily engaged to a Discourse of this eminent Family of Finch , I shall discover in Landskip the deep Antiquity of their first Extraction . They were originally descended from Henry Fitz-Herbert , Chamberlain to King Henry the first , who married the Daughter and Heir of Sir Robert le Corbet , and had Issue by her a Son named Herbert , and he was Father to Herbert Fitz-Herbert , who by his first Wife Lucy Daughter and Co-heir of Milo Earl of Hereford , and Lord High Constable of England , had Issue a Son named Peter Fitz-Herbert , from whom the Herberts Earls of Pembroke originally issued out , and by his second Wife Matilda ( after his Deeease , remarried to the Lord Columbers ) he had Issue Matthew Fitz-Herbert , who was one of the Magnates or Barons , at the compiling of Magna Charta , and was one of the powerful Partisans of King John , at the making the accord between that Prince and his Barons , at Running-Mead , between Windsor and Stanes ; his Son likewise called Matthew Fitz-Herbert , was the fourth Baron mentioned in the Roll of that Parliament , which was convened at Tewksbury . The alteration of this Name into Finch , was about the tenth of Edward the first , at which Time Herbert Fitz-Herbert purchased the Mannor of Finches in Lidde , of which being entire Lord , as he was not of Netherfeild , he assumed his Sirname from that , as many other Families fell in that Age , under the same Mutation , and borrowed Sirnames from those places which were wholly under their possession and Signory . In the eighth year of Edward the second , there was a Supersedeas issued out , mentioning that Herbert Fitz-Herbert , called Finch , was a Ward , in the twenty eighth year of Edward the first , and so could not personally serve with the King in his Wars in Scotland , and therefore was released of his Escuage for all his Estate in Kent and Sussex , which together with some of the ancient Patrimony , and several Knights Fees at Netherfeild in Sussex , and elsewhere , are not yet departed from this Noble Family .

Westwell in the Hundred of Calchill , was confirmed to the Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury , for a supply in their Diet , in the year 1241. But it seems they were questioned , Quo Warranto they possest this Mannor , and after a Solemn Decision , per patriam , it is affirmed and attested in the Confirmation of the abovesaid Prince , that it was enstated upon them by his Predecessors , and continued afterwards unquestionably parcel of the Demeasne of the Cloister abovesaid , until it was resigned by the Monks of Christ-church , into the Hands of Henry the eighth , and so it rested in the Crown , until not many years since , it was granted to Sir Nic. Tuston of Hothfield . The Parsonage anciently belonged to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury , until Thomas Arundell the Arch-bishop gave it , in the year 1397. to the Monks of Christ-church , to counterpoise those vast expences which they were to be at in re-erecting the Nave or Body of the Cathedral , ( called Aulam Ecclesiae by Eadmerus ) which Simon de Sudbury plucked down , and had intended that it should like a Phoenix , have rose more glorious out of its Ashes : but was intercepted in his Design by a suddain Death , being beheaded by Wat Tiler , and the confluence of his impious and barbarous Complices . This Church thus appropriated , was confirmed to the Monks abovesaid , in the year 1400. by King Henry the fourth , and upon the suppression was re-enstated upon the Dean and Chapiter of Christ-church by Henry the eighth .

Ripley-court is a Seat of good Antiquity in this Parish , and more eminent , because it afforded a Sirname to Gentlemen of good Ranke in this Track , of which Number was Richard de Ripley , who died seised of this Mannor , in the thirtieth year of Edward the first , Rot. Esc . Num. 91. and in an old Deed is called Miles Archiepiscopi , that is , he held this Mannor of the Arch-bishop by Knights Service : but before the latter end of Edward the third , this Family was vanished , and then the Brockhuls and Idens succeeded in the possession : the last of which was a Family of great Antiquity , and no lesse Revenue , about Iden in Sussex , and Rolvenden in this County . For in the year 1280. as appears by a Fine levied that year ; John the Son of Thomas de Iden , passes away Lands to John de More . And of this Family was Alexander Iden Esquire , Sheriff of Kent , in the thirty fourth year of Henry the sixth , who in the twenty eighth year of that Prince , slew Jack Cade , who had borrowed the disguised Person of Mortimer , excited thereunto , as was the Opinion of those Times , by the Suggestions of Richard Duke of Yorke , to fathom the Peoples Affections to that man , in the strength of whose Title he intended in the future to claim the English Diadem . But the Attempts of Cade being disappointed by the formerly infatuated , but now disenchanted Multitude's deserting of him , who began to risent his Fraud and Imposture upon their total Dissipation , shrowded himself in some of those Grounds which belonged to Ripley-court , and lay not far distant from Hothfeild , and were then in the Tenure of William Iden Justice of the Peace , and Father of the abovesaid Alexander : where being discovered , he was by that Worthy Person , offered up a Sacrifice to the Justice of Henry the sixth . But I have digressed , I now return : After this Seat had for so many Descents been the Residence of this Family , and the Cradle and Seminary of many Worthy Persons , who had been subservient and ministerial to the Honour and Interess of this County , by their Magnanimity and Prudence ; it went away from Iden by Sale to Darell ; and George Darell , in the last year of Edward the sixth , conveyed it to Baker , Ancestor to Mr. ...... Baker of Windsor , now proprietary of it .

Diggs-court is another eminent Seat in this Parish , which was the Mansion of the Noble Family of Diggs or Digge , who promiscuously writ themselves in elder Times sometimes of Barham , and sometimes of Westwell , as appears by many of their ancient , Evidences and other Muniments yet extant . In the reign of Edward the third , there was one Adomarus de Digge , who frequently writ himself of Westwell : but whether it were he that was the Judge , or not , I cannot positively aver . In fine , after this place had for many Ages acknowledged the Signory of this Family , it came down to John Digge , in whom the Male-line ended ; so that his Female Heir being wedded to Henry Aucher , annexed it to the Revenue of that Family , and from him hath the Title by a Thread of many years , been guided down to Mr. ...... Aucher .

Dean-court may be registered likewise in the Catalogue of the principal Mannors of this Parish . It was in Times of elder prescription the Inheritance of Hussie , who likewise was entituled to the possession of Dean-court in Wingham , now the Mansion of the Oxendens , by purchase from this Family . Henry Hussie , a man of great power , as appears by that large Estate he was Lord of , both at Wingham , Lenham , Boughton , Malherbe , and elsewhere , died possest of this Mannor , in the eighteenth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Numb. 36. and from him did it in an even and an undivided Current glide along in this Name , until the latter end of King Henry the eighth , and then it was passed away by Sale to Milan , in which Family the propriety of this place is now resident .

Nash-court is the next place in Westwell , that cals for our Survey ; in old Deeds I find a Family that sometimes writ At Ash , and sometimes Nash , into which the former Name resolved , who were possessors of it : In Times of a lower Step , that is , in the thirty second year of Edward the third , as appears by the close Roll of that year , Rot. Esc . Num. 94. Alanus de Hanekin held it : but before the latter end of Richard the second , this Family had quitted the possession by Sale to Brockhull of Calchill , and was not long after , that is , about the twelfth year of Henry the fourth , by Henry Brockhull , conveyed to John Darell Esquire , Sheriff of Kent , in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , and Brother of Sir William Darell , under-Treasurer of England , and in this Name it was permanent , until the last year of Edward the sixth , and then it went away by Sale to Sharpe of Nin-house in great Chart , and hath been now for five Descents resident in that Family .

Beamonston , vulgarly called Beamston , is partly situated in West-well , and partly spread into East-well : but the greatest part of the Demeasne is circumscribed within the Bounds of this Parish . And in the twentieth year of Edward the third , as appears by the Book of Aide , was held by Thomas at More , at making the Black Prince Knight . But before the fourth year of Henry the fourth , this Family was extinguished ; for at the Marriage of Blanch that Prince's Daughter , as appears by the Roll of Blanch Lands kept in the Exchequer , John Amias was possest of it , and paid respective Aide for it , as having purchased it of At-More : and in this Name did it reside , until the reign of Henry the seventh , and then it was conveyed by Sale to John Moile Esquire , Father to Sir Thomas Moile , who left this , with much other Land to Katharine his Daughter and Co-heir matched to Sir Thomas Finch , in Right of which Alliance , it is now devolved to be the Inheritance of his great Grand-child Hencage Finch the instant Earl of Winchelsey .

Perytowne lies likewise within the Limits of Westwell , and is registered in the Catalogue of those Lands that William de Aldon died possest of , in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third ; and continued chained to the Inheritance of this Family , until about the twenty seventh of Henry the sixth , it was passed away with much other other Land to Cardinal Kempe , who setled it in the twenty eighth year of that Prince , on his newly erected Colledge of Wye , and rested there until the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was resigned into the Hands of that Prince , and he in the thirty eighth year of his reign , granted it to Thomas Cawarden or Carden Esquire , and he not long after conveyed it by Sale to Sir John Baker of Sisingherst , whose Successor Sir John Baker Baronet , hath this present year 1657. alienated it to Nathaniel Powell of Ewherst in Sussex Esquire .

Woditon or Wolton , is the last place of any Note in Westwell : It was originally parcel of the Inheritance of a Family called Wolton or Woditon . Ivo de Woditon held it in the year 1236. and left it to his Son John de Wolton , who had Issue Richard de Woditon or Wolton , a man of principal Note , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , who held both this Mannor , and Woditon by Berham , which he held of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by Knights Service at making the Black Prince Knight . And in this Man's Successors did the Propriety constantly reside until the latter end of Henry the sixth , and then some part of it was conveyed to John Hampton , and he about the beginning of Edward the fourth passed it away to Richard Rasel , who died possest of it , as appears by his Will in the twentieth of that Prince ; but there was some part remained unsold , until William Wolton dying 1540 , ordered it by his Deed to be passed away to Feoffees in Trust to discharge Debts , which accordingly was performed and the Remainder conveyed to Rasell , in the Descendants of which Name and Family the entire proprietie is at this instant remaining .

Werehorne in the Hundreds of Ham and Blackbourne , was partly under the Jurisdiction of the Church , and partly under the Signory of temporal and Lay Proprietaries : that Moitie of it which was of secular Interest , belonged to a Family called Bedford . Rich. de Bedford obtained a Grant of a Market to it weekly on the Tuesday , and a Fair of three days continuance at the Feast of St. Matthew , as appears Cart. 52. Henrici tertii Memb. 12 , which was renued and confirmed to the abovesaid Person in the eighth year of Edward the first ; and he in the seventeenth year of that Prince died possest of it , as is manifest , Rot. Esc . Num. 20. But after him it was of no long date in the Tenure of this Family ; for in the reign of Edward the second , I find it in the possession of Hugh de Windlesore or Windsor ; but was not long chained to their Patrimony neither ; for about the beginning of Edward the third , it was alienated to Moraunt of Moraunts Court , but about the beginning of Richard the second , Sir Thomas Morant ( Son of William Moraunt Sheriff of Kent the twelfth and thirteenth year of Edward the third , to whom that Prince issued out a Mandate , that but one Bell should be rang in any Steeple towards the Sea-Coast in Kent ) determined in a Female Heir , who was matched to James Peckham of Yaldham Sheriff of Kent the third and twelfth of Richard the second , and was as the private evidences of this Family inform me , originally descended from Hugh de Peckham , who was Constable of the Castle of Rochester under K. John in the first year of his reign ; and he in her right became entituled to that Interest Moraunt had in this place : and in this Family it remained until those Times which approached near the Confines of our Grand-fathers remembrance , and then it was passed away to Ellis ; from whence in Opposition to the other Moitie which was of spiritual Concernment it was called Werehorne Ellis , and from this Family not many years since it was carried off by Sale to Tufton , in right of which purchase the right honourable John Earl of Thanet is now invested in the possession of it .

The other Moietie which belonged to the Church , was given in the year of Grace 1010 , by Elphegus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to the Monks of Christ-Church , and was for the provision of their Garments . And if you will discover how this was rated in the twentieth year of William the Conquerour , the Record of Dooms-day Book will discover : In Limwarled , says the Note , & in Hundred de Hamme habent Monachi Sanctae Trinitatis de vestitu eorum 1. Manerium de Werehorne 1. Sulling , & est appretiatum LXs. This Mannor being by the Monks and Prior of the Convent aforesaid surrendred into the Hands of Henry the eighth in the twenty ninth year of his reign , it lay couched in the Demeasn of the Crown , until the seventh year of K. James , and then it was by Grant passed away to Tho. Paget , and Thomas Twisden who in opposition to the other Moity which was of temporal Interess , called this , Werehorn Twisden : and they not long after passed it away to Sir Thomas Tufton , Grand-father to the right honourable John Earl of Thanet the instant Possessor of it .

Tinton in Werehorne was a Mannor which anciently belonged to the Priory of Horton near Hieth ; but upon the suppression all its Demeasn being annexed to the Crown , this was lodged there until the beginning of K. James , and then it was by that Prince conveyed by Grant to Sir William Sidley of the Frierie in Alresford , Grand-father to Sir Charles Sidley Baronet the present Lord of the Fee .

Capell in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to a Family so called , whose Demeasn lay spread into Ivie-Church , Linton , Boxley , Horsmonden , Capell by Brechley , Capell in the Isle of Shepey and this Parish . John de Capell flourished here in the reign of Henry the third , who was ( as appears by the Leiger Book of Boxley ) an eminent Benefactor to that Covent ; and from him descended Sir William at Capell , an eminent Knight of this County , in the reign of Edward the third and Richard the second , who left it to his Son Richard at Capell : and he dying without Issue , in the fifteenth year of Richard the second , Sir John Orlanston in right of his Wife , who was his Sister and Co-heir entred upon his Inheritance at this place , and left it to his Son Richard Orlanston Esq ; who deceased without Issue in the seventh year of Henry the fifth : and so upon the Division of the Estate , William Scot who had espoused Joan one of the Sisters and Co-heirs , was planted in the Inheritance of this place ; and from whom it is now devolved to be the possession of Edward Scot of Scots-Hall Esquire .

Ham is another eminent Mannor in this Parish which gives Name to the whole Hundred , and was , as high as the Ray of any Intelligence will guide us to discover , folded up in the paternal Demeasn of the ancient Family of Orlanston . William de Orlanston obtained a Charter of Free-Warren to his Lands at Orlanston , Werehorne , and other places , in the fifty first of Henry the third , and being fenced in with this Immunity , it came along by the Steps of Several Descents to Richard Orlanston Son of Sir John Orlanston , who dying without Issue in the seventh year of Henry the fifth , as is manifest , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. Joan one of his two Sisters matched to William Scot of Scots-Hall ; and Margaret the second , wedded to William Parker of Parkers in this Parish , became his two Co-heirs : and upon breaking the Estate by mutual Division into parcels , this in the second year of Henry the sixth was annexed to the Patrimony of Scot , and from him did the Thread of successive Descent transmit to Mr. Edward Scot of Scots-Hall Esquire , who still by paternal right enjoys the Inheritance of it .

Parkers is another Mannor which next summons our remembrance , which afforded a Sirname , as it gave an Habitation to a Family so styled . Edward Parker held Lands in Werehore , Westerham , and other places at his Decease , which was in the ninth year of Edward the second , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 1.14 . and in this Name was the Title and Inheritance constant until the reign of Henry the eighth , and then I find by several Court-rolls one John Engham to be fixed by purchase in the possession : and in this Family did it remain uninterrupted until the beginning of K. James , and then it was by Sale conveyed to Taylor , who not long after demised it to Collins ; from whom not long since it came by purchase to Squire , and he not many years since passed it away to Dr. ...... Kingsley Arch-Deacon of Canterbury , in whose Descendants the Proprietie of it , is still resident .

Hampton Coclescombe is the last place considerable in Werehorne ; which gave Name originally to a Family which here had their Habitation , and likewise were possessors of much Land at Westwell , and other places ; and having lived here many Descents , the possession of this place at last devolved to John Hampton , who about the latter end of Edward the fourth passed it away to John May of Bibrook : whose successor John May concluding about the latter end in a Daughter and Heir called Alice matched to John Edolph it came to be the Inheritance of that Family ; but did not long confess the Signory of it ; for this John Edolph deceased without Issue-male , and left it to his sole Daughter Elizabeth matched to William Wilcock , who expiring likewise in two Female Heirs , Martha matched to Edward Ratcliff Doctor of Physick , and Physitian to Q. Elizabeth , and K. James ; and the second matched to William Andrews , they divided this Mannor as parcel of his Inheritance . William Andrews in the twenty ninth year of Q. Elizabeth , demised his proportion to Rowland Bridges and Robert Philipson . And Edward Radcliff alienated that part of it which accrued to him in the forty third year of Q. Elizabeth to Edward Rolt and Andrew Mersh .

Westerham gives Name to the whole Hundred wherein it is placed , and was in elder Times the patrimony of a Family called Camville , which was of some eminence in this Track . William de Camville , and G. de Camville entred England with William the Conquerour . Thomas de Camville was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae in the seventh year of K. John : and Geffrey de Camville was with Edward the first at the Siege of Carlaverock in Scotland ; in the twenty eighth year of his reign , and there received the Order of Knighthood , and here this Family concluded : for afterwards I find this Mannor in the Hands of the Abbot of Westminster , who obtained a Market weekly to be held at this place on the Munday and a Fair yearly upon the Vigil , the day , and day after the Nativity of our Lady , as appears , Pat. 25. Edwardi tertii Num. 32. And here it remained with their revenue , untill the Suppression of that Cloister in the reign of Henry the eighth ; and then being rent away by that Tempest , it was in the thirty second year of that Prince , granted to Sir Iohn Gresham , which Concession was again confirmed to the Lady Beatrix Gresham , Widow of Sir Thomas Gresham his Son by Queen Elizabeth , from whom it is now devolved to Marmaduke Gresham Esq ; the Heir apparent of the Family .

Broxham is a place of eminent Account in this Parish . Iohn de Insula or Isley , was Lord of this Mannor , and obtained a Charter of Free-warren here , in the eleventh year of Edward the second . After the Isleys were gon out , the Ashways successively stept into the possession . Stephen de Ashway obtained a Licence to inclose a Park here in the forty first year of Edward the third , the Characters and Reliques of which are not so generally demolished and disparked by Time , but that they are still obvious to a Curious eye ▪ yet this Priviledge could not fix it long in this Family ; for about the latter end of Richard the second , I find it by Sale cast into the possession of Edward Lord Clinton , who held it at his Decease , which was in the first year of Henry the fourth , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. But here likewise the Title was as volatile and transitory ; for about the Beginning of Henry the sixth , Iohn Lord Clinton passed it away to Thomas Squerie , who was Lord of Squeries-court in this Parish , and was descended from Iohn de Squerie : whom I find by some old Evidences to have lived at Westerham , in the Reign of Henry the third , and it is possible , either erected or very much augmented the Seat called Squeries-court . The Arms viz. a Squirrel brousing on a Hasell-nut , are depicted in very ancient coloured Glasse in Westerham-church : but this Thomas above-mentioned , dying in the seventeenth year of Henry the sixth , without Issue-male , Margaret his eldest Daughter matched to Sir William Cromer , and Dorothy his youngest , wedded to Richard Mervin of Fontels in Wiltshire , became his two Coheirs : and upon the division of the estate , Squeries-court and Broxham were annexed to the patrimony of Cromer , in which Family they made their aboad until the reign of Henry the eighth ; and then William Cromer Esquire , having by some Delinquencie forfeited them to the Crown , that Prince granted them to Thomas Cawarden or Carden Esquire ; from which Family about the middle of Queen Elizabeths reign , they went off by Sale to Beresford , who almost in our memory sold Squeries-Court to Sir George Stroud , and he some few years since , alienated it to Thomas Lambert Esquire , who hath lately demised it to Mr ...... Leech : but Broxham was conveyed to Mr. Tho. Petley of Vilston , whose Grandchild Mr. ..... Petley is the Heir apparent of it .

Well-street and Gaysam in this Parish , did anciently confess the two Families of Atwell and Shelley for its proprietaries . William Atwell held Wellstreet , as appears by an ancient Court-roll , in the thirty fifth of Edward the third , and Thomas Shelley in the forty sixth year of the same Monarch , settles Gaysam by Testament on Thomas his Son and Heir , who in the eighth year of Richard the second , conveys it to his Son Thomas Shelley , whose Descendant about the latter end of Henry the sixth , demised it to John Potter ; and his Successor about the Beginning of Henry the fourth , purchased Wellstreet of the Heirs of Cothull , and is in the List of five of this Family who lye buried in Westerham-church , and this Branch of the Name here , was descended from Iohn Potter , who held Lands at Dertford the twelfth of Edward the second , and whose posterity continued Lords of these two places , untill the Beginning of King James , and then ...... Potter dying without Issue-male , his only Daughter and Heir brought them to be the Inheritance of Sir Iohn Rivers of Chafford , who not many years since , demised his Interest in Well-street , to Mr. Thomas Smith of Milk-street in London Scrivener .

Valons in this Parish was formerly the Mansion of a Family called in old datelesse Deeds de Valoniis , and in English Valons : but the greatest Honor which accrued to it , was , that Islip Abbot of Westminster , bought it in the reign of Henry the seventh of Casinghurst , a Family which had been possest of it many Descents before , and gave it to his Servant William Middleton , who much improved it with Building . And in his Family it was resident untill the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed to James Verseline descended out of Flanders , who gave it with his Daughter Anne Verseline , to Peter Manning , from which Family not many years since it passed away to Mr. Randall Manning of London , whose Son and Heir Mr. Thomas Manning is now in the enjoyment of it .

Werd or Werth in the Hundred of Eastry is a Parish if you consider it in its precincts , but narrow ; if in position , low and unhealthful , or , if again in its number of Communicants , not considerable ; but yet there are two places within the Ambuts and Boundaries of it which claim some consideration . The first is the Mannor of Sandowne , which was anciently the Perots , who held this Mannor as the private Deeds of this Name and Family inform me , as high as the Reign of Henry the third . Thomas de Perot died possest of it in the fourth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 31. and then it was found fenced in , and fortified with these priviledges ; It had Infangthef and Outfangthef , Toll and Theam , Sac and Soc , Tumbrell and Pillory and other Franchises of the like Complexion ; but after this , the Tenure was but of a brief Duration in this Name ; for the Female Heir of Perot brought this Mannor with much other Land to Langley of the County of Warwick , and about the Reign of Henry the fifth there was a match between this Family and Peyton of the County of Cambridge , which match at length brought this Mannor to descend to this Family . For Edward Langley of Knolton Esquire , deceasing about the beginning of Henry the eighth without Issue ; Sir Robert Peyton of Peyton Hall entred upon this and other Lands as his Heir at Law ; and he assigned it to his second Son John Peyton Esquire , from whom it is now descended to Sir Thomas Peyton Baronet , the instant proprietary of it .

Before I leave this Discourse of Sandowne , I must inform the Reader that the Family of Peyton above mentioned and that of Ufford were primitively one , and bore the same paternal Coat , were known by the same Name , and were both deduced from the same Root and Original , Ex Autograph's penes Dom. Tho. Peyton Baronettum . onely Peyton was the elder House . Now the ground on which the Mutation of the Name was established , was briefly this ; John de Peyton flourished in the reign of Henry the second , and left four Sons ; whereof the three eldest were named John , Robert , and John : to John the eldest , he gave his Mannor of Peyton lying extended into Stoke Neyland , Boxford , and Ramsholt Parishes in Suffolk : to Robert his second Son he gave his Mannor of Ufford lying in Suffolk likewise , who altered his Name from Peyton , and assumed that of Ufford , a Name borrowed from that Signory of which he was become newly possessor , and from him the Name of Ufford was communicated to the Earls of Suffolk and other persons of eminent Repure in those Generations wherein they flourished . John de Peyton the third Brother , by Deed without Date demises all his Interest in Boxford to his elder Brother John de Peyton ( by that Name he there calls him : ) which justifies nor only the Antiquity but the Seniority of this Family of Peyton before that of Ufford . And from John de Peyton the elder above mentioned are the Peytons of Cambridgeshire , and Sir Tho. Peyton of Knolton Baronet originally descended .

Lidde in ancient Records written Hlyden is a second Mannor in Werd of considerable Account , ever since it was given at the Request of Janibert the Arch-Bishop by K. Offa in the year 874 to the Monks of Christ-Church ( as the Records of that Church discover to me ) under the Notion of three Sullings or Ploughlands . And the Instrument which confirmed this Donation , was signed with the Marks that is Crosses of Offa the King , Janibert the Arch-Bishop , Kenedrith the Queen , three other Bishops , five other Abbots , Duke Edbald , and eleven other principal Persons or Noblemen . And that this was the manner of Signature in elder Times , that is , the affixing of Crosses to all publick Instruments and other original Donations , is most certain ; For Sealing came into England with Edward the Confessor , who being bred up in Normandy , in which Province , and in France the Use of affixing Seals to Deeds had been in Use long before his Time , introduced that Custome and way of Signature into this Nation , as being more conspicuous and distinguishable than that of Crosses , or those other wayes of confirming of Grants of Land , either to the Church or to secular Uses , which was either per Collocationem Gladii seu Cultelli supra Altare , by the placing or laying a Sword or Knife upon the Altar , whereby those which did make Donations of Land did tacitly insinuate that their Honour was involved in their Conscience , or else per Traditionem Surculi vel stipitis , which Custome is yet observed in our Copy-hold Land , where Surrenders are made by delivery of a Turfe , Twig , or white Wand . But sealing with Coats of Arms , was not brought in , untill the reign of Edward the first , but were borne by persons of Honor on their Tabards or Surcoats : two Examples of which I have seen , one of William Warren Earl of Pembroke , who in the second year of Henry the second , sealed with the Figure of a Chivaler on Horseback ; his Caparisons , Tabard , and Shield , being all Checquee , the paternal Coat of this Family ; the other was of Richard Curzon of Croxall in Derbyshire , who in the reign of King John , stands in a Window pourtrayed in his Surcoat , surmounted with a Bend , charged with a Martlet . And this was done in Imitation of the Heralds , who wore the Arms of those Princes they serv●d on their Tabards , as Badges to distinguish them from the Heralds of other Princes , either in the Time of War or Peace . Indeed Seals in higher Ages , were of that sacred Estimate , that being lost , they were decryed by the owners , least they might be affixed to any surreptitious Instrument , which might prejudice either their Fame or Estate . And in the interval of their Absence or Losse , the Owners abovesaid were accustomed to Seal with the Seal of the Bishop of the Diocess , or else with that of the next adjacent Abbot , all Deeds and Instruments , either of Publick or private Interess . But to return : this Donation of Offa's , though thus secured and strengthned , could not shelter this Mannor , from the Rage of ahat Tempest , which , in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , like a Whirlwind caught it up in the Patrimony of the Church , and drop'd it into the Revenue of the Crown , where it lay untill Queen Elizabeth , in the Beginning of her Raign , passed it away by Grant to William Lovelace Esquire , Serjeant at Law , whose Son Sir William Lovelace , not long after , demised it by Sale to Sir John Smith , Grand-father to Philip Viscount Strangford , who now enjoys it .

Wickham Brews in the Hundred of Downhamford , distinguished from other places of that Name , by the Addition of the Sirname of Brews , which Family were Lords thereof . In the twentieth year of William the Conquerour , Odo Bishop of Baion and Earl of Kent , held this place of the Gift of his half Brother which was that Prince ; and Trendle Park adjoyning there , was a Composition between the Arch-bishop and this Man , for certain Land of the said Arch-bishop , to be inclosed and included within the said Park at Trendley : which signifies thus much unto us , that Woodstock which boasts it self , to be the first inclosed Park of England , was not so ancient as this at Trendley . In Times of a more modern Character , that is , in those which commence from the reign of Henry the third , it acknowledged the Brewses Barons of Brember in Sussex to be its proprietaries , who engrafted their own Name upon it , which hath sprouted out , and flourished upon it untill this Day . William de Brewosa or de brewe held it , and was several times summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the reign of King Edward the first , and Edward the second , and dyed in the ninth year of the last Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 204. After this Family had deserted the possession , which was about the Beginning of Edward the third , it became the Inheritance of many of the most eminent Nobility of this Kingdome . I shall represent them out of some ancient Court-rolls in a Compendious Series . Edmund Plantagenet Earl of Kent held it in the fourth year of Edward the third . William Longspey had it in the the twentieth year of the abovesaid Prince , and paid an auxiliary supply for it at making the Black Prince Knight . John Earl of Kent dyed seised of it in the twenty sixth year of Edw. the third . Thomas Holland Earl of Kent , and Joan his Wife , Sister and Coheir of the abovementioned Earl , were possest of it in the thirty fifth year of Edward the third . Lucie Wife of Edmund Holland Earl of Kent , was seised of it in the second year of Henry the sixth . After whom it devolved to Edmund Mortimer Earl of March , and he held it in the third year of Henry the sixth . Joan the Wife of Sir Iohn Grey one of the Sisters and Coheirs of the abovesaid Edmund , was invested in the possession in the fourth year of the abovesaid Prince . Not long after this , it came to own the Signory of the Tiptofts , and continued fastned to their patrimony , until the renth year of Edward the fourth . When Iohn Tiptoft Earl of Worcester , being empeached of close Confederacy and Combination with the abovesaid Prince , then forced into Exile , was by the Parliament then principally moulded out of the Lancastrian Faction , attainted and beheaded , and his estate here confiscated to the Crown , and there was lodged until the first year of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was granted to Anthony Brown Viscount Montague , who in the year 1592 deceased , and left it to his Son and Heir Anthony Brown Viscount Montague , and he setled it upon his second Son Mr. Stanislaus Brown , who now is in the enjoyment of it .

East-wickham is situated in the Hundred of Little and Lesnes , and celebrates the memory of the noble Family of Montchensey , and was wrapped up in their Demeasn . William de Montchensey , held it at his Death , which was in the fifty second year of Henry the third , and left it to his Sole Daughter and Heir Dionis , matched to Hugh de Vere , but he dying without Issue in the seventh year of Edward the second , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 51. the Title and possession diverted to William de Valentia Earl of Pembroke , half Brother by the Mothers side to Henry the third , who had matched with Joan Sister and Heir to William de Montchensey before named ; from whom it descended to his Son Aymer de Valence , who dying without Issue , Isabell one of his Sisters and Coheirs who was affianced to Laurence de Hastings , summoned to sit in Parliament by Edward the third , as Earl of Pembroke , upon the approportioning the estate , entituled her Husband to this Mannor ; and from him was the Title carried down , to his Grandchild Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke , who was in possession of it at his Decease , which was in the thirteenth year of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 30. And Reginald Grey was found to be his Heir , in which Family it remained , until the Beginning of Henry the sixth ; and then it was passed away to William Lord Lovell who was often summoned to sit as Baron in Parliament , in that Prince's reign : and from him it came down to his Grandchild Iohn Lord Lovell , summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the second year of Edward the fourth ; and he about the Beginning of his reign , passed it away to Iohn Lord Howard , afterwards created Duke of Norfolk , who being a close and eager Complice of Richard the third , sunk in his Ruines , in the Battle commenced at Bosworth ; and Henry of Richmond , having by that successeful Combat ascertained himself to the English Scepter , seised upon this Mannor by Escheat , in the first year of his Reign , as relating to a person who had actually appeared in Arms against him : and being thus united to the Crown , it lay couched in its Revenue , untill the seventh year of Edward the sixth ; and then it was granted to Sir Martin Bowes ; who not long after passed it away to Alderman Oliff of London , who left it to Joan his Sole Daughter and Heir , matched to John Leigh Son and Heir of Nicholas Leigh of Addington in Surrey Esquire , Father to Sir Oliff Leigh , who much enhaunsed the Magnisicence of the ancient Fabrick , with increase of Building , and left it to his Son Sir Francis Leigh , whose Widow the Lady Christian Leigh , in Right of Dower , is now in Possession of the Signory of it .

West-Wickham in the Hundred of Rokesley , is much enobled by being anciently entituled to the possession of the eminent Family of Huntingfield . Peter de Huntingfield , held it , who was Sheriff of Kent , the eleventh , twelfth , and thirteenth years of Edward the third , and is registred in the Scroles of those Kentish Gentlemen , who accompanied Edward the first , in his Victorious Expedition into Scotland , in the twenty eighth year of his reign , when he reduced Carlaverock by a successeful Seige , for which his merit was repayed with the Honour of Knighthood , his Son and Heir was Walter de Huntingfield , who in the eleventh year of Edward the second , obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of West-Wickham , a Market weekly on the Monday , and a Fair yearly on the Vigil and day of St. Mary Magdalen , as appears Pat. 11. Edwardi secundi , Num. 23. And left it invested with these Priviledges to his Son and Heir Sir John de Huntingfield , who paid Aid for three Knights Fees , which he held in this County , at making the Black Prince Knight , and was a Man of that Eminence , that he was summoned to sit as Baron in Parliament , the thirty sixth year of Edward the third , and several other Times , during the Raign of the above-named Prince . William de Huntingfield this mans Son , was summoned likewise many Times to sit as Baron in Parliament about the latter end of Edward the third , but dyed without Issue , so that Joan and Alize Huntingfield his Cozens , matched to Copledike and Norwich , were his Heirs : and by an old Deed , I find that one John Copledike held this Mannor by Right of Partition , the last year of Richard the second ; but it was not long after this fixed in the Patrimony of this Family ; for in the seventeenth year of Flenry the sixth , Thomas Squerrie died possest of it , and left it to his Son and Heir John Squerrie , who dying without Issue in the fourth year of Edward the fourth . Dorothy one of his two Sisters and Coheirs entituled her Husband Richard Mervin upon the Division of the Estate to the proprietie of this Mannor ; and he not long after passed it away to Richard Scrope , who in the seventh year of Edward the fourth alienated it by Fine to Ambrose Creseacre , who not long after transmitted it by Sale to Henry Heyden Esquire , to whom the principal part of the ancient . Pile now visible , ows its Erection , and from him did it devolved to that eminent Scholler and Souldier Justice of the Peace , and Captain of the trained Bands of this County in the Reign or Queen Elizabeth , Sir Christopher Heydon , who about the latter end of that Princess passed it away to Sir Samuel Lennard , Father to Sir Stephen Lennard , who is entituled to the present propriety of it .

Wymingswould in the Hundred of Wingham , contains within the Circuit or Limits of it an ancient Seat called Nethersole , from its situation near some Pool or descending Pond ; and was as high as the Time of K. John and Henry the third , the possession of a Family which was represented to the world under this Sirname ; for as it appears by the Original Deeds and Evidences which fortifie the Title of this Mansion , Richard de Nethersoll flourished here about the Government of the abovesaid Monarchs , and from him was it by a perpetuated Succession chained together by an uninterrupted Link of Descent brought down to the days of Henry the eighth , and then I find by a Roll of the Nethersolls in the Hands of Mr. Nethersoll of Canterbury not long since deceased , that it was the Inheritance of one John Nethersoll Esquire , one that retained to the Court of Henry the eighth , and a person whom that Prince did by especial Indulgence license even in his presence for some distemper in his Head occasioned by some accidental Circumstances , indutum esse Pileo , to be covered with a Cap , which certainly both in elder and modern times , was a symptome either of Honour or Liberty . For the snatching off the Cap or Pileus of Tarquinius Priscus by an Eagle , and the placing it on his Head again , was by the Augurs interpreted as a presage of his future possessing the Roman Diadem . When slaves received their manumission they were said to be ad Pileum vocati , their liberty was demonstrated to be compleated by putting on a Cap. The Gladiators anciently for their magnanimity or personal Courage exprest in mutual Conflicts between themselves in publick Theaters were rewarded as a Guerdon of their Victory vel Palmâ , Rude , seu Pilo . The Lacones being made free Denisons of Sparta more to exemplifie their atchieved Liberty , never went into the Field against the Common Enemy but Pileati : Amongst the Africans the placing of the Pileus or Cap upon the top of a Spear was a tacit citation or summons to Liberty , and an Intimation to shake off the Fetters of Tyranny . Erasmus in his Chiliads calls the Cap spectatae virtutis Insigne , and from this he conjectures , that the putting on of Caps on the Heads of Judges , Doctors and Masters of Art , when they were invested with the above mentioned Degrees , derived its first Original , which custome is still in Force in our publick Comitia , or Commencements at the two Universities of Cambridge and Oxford ; and likewise in our Courts of Judicature at the Creation or Investiture of Serjeants at Law : But to return into that Track from whence this Discourse hath made me straggle : As the Seat was anciently folded up in the Revenue of Nethersoll ; so it is still , mauger all the vicissitudes of Chance , wrapped up in that Propriety which relates to the Descendants of this Name and Family .

Wingham gives Name to the whole Hundred where it is placed , and was in elder Times one of those eminent Mannors , which augmented the Revenue of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury , and being by an unjust Detention ravished away , it was by the indulgent Piety of K. Edmund restored in the year 941. If you will see how it was rated in the Time of the Conquerour , Dooms-day Book will give you this Prospect of it . Wingham ( says that Record ) est Manerium Archiep. & T. E. R. defendebat se pro XL Sullings , & nunc pro XXX & valet C lb. I find nothing memorable of this Mannor after this , but that it was enchanged in the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , by Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for other Lands with the Crown ; and continued with the Royal Demeasn until the middle of K. James , and then it was conveyed by Sale to the City of London , which City not many years since passed it away to the instant Owner Sir William Couper Knight and Baronet .

Wingham had the Grant of a Market procured to it in the seventh year of Henry the third , by the mediation of Stephen Langton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury . The Colledge of Wingham was founded by John de Peckham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the year 1278 , to be a Colledge or Seminary of Secular Priests , the Head of which Fraternity was called Praepositus . This upon the suppression being with its whole Revenue invested in the Crown , K. Henry the eighth granted the Colledge to Sir Henry Palmer ( descended from an ancient Family of that Sirname in Sussex ) Ancestor to Sir Henry Palmer Baronet , now proprietary of it .

Wenderton is an ancient Seat in this Parish ( eminent for its excellent Air , Situation , and prospect ) which for many hundreds of years had owners of that Sirname , one of whom called John Wenderton is famous in Fox's Martyrologie for the pennance imposed upon him by William Courtney Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , at his Castle of Saltwood , in the year 1390 for being refractory in the Discharge of some Services which were due to his Mannor of Wingham . The last of this Name which enjoyed this Seat was John Wenderton , who in the first year of Henry the eighth passed it away to William Warham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and he upon his Decease which was about the year 1533 gave it to his Brother Hugh Warham , and his Successor Hugh Warham about the beginning of K. James transplanted his right in it by Sale into William Manwood Esquire , and he about the beginning of K. Charles conveyed it to Vincent Denne Gentleman , who left it to his Nephew Mr. Thomas Denne of Grays Inne , who dying without Issue settled it by Will on his Brother John Denne of the Inner Temple Esquire , who likewise deceased without Issue , and bequeathed it to his four Maiden Sisters . Roger Lukyn Gentleman who matched with one of them purchased the Remainder of the other three , and so is become now sole Proprietary of it .

Twitham in this Parish gave Seat and Sirname to an eminent Family in this Track ; Alan de Twitham is recorded in the Register of those remarkable Kentish Gentlemen , who supported the Cause and Quarrel of Richard the first at the Seige of Acon ; and having continued many Descents Possessors of this Mannor , the Name at last determined in a Female Heir called Isabel , who by matching with Richard Oxenden united Twitham to the Demeasn of that Family , where the Title hath ever since made so constant and uninterrupted an abode , that it is still the Inheritance of Mr. Henry Oxenden of Brook place .

Brook place is the last place of estimate in this Parish , which in elder Times was wrapped up in the Inheritance of Wenderton , and having continued many Descents interlinked with this Family , the Name and Title found one Sepulcher together for Jane Wenderton the Heir General of the Family by matching with Richard Oxenden Gentleman fixed it in his Inheritance , and he much enhaunsed this ancient Seat with Additional Improvements , and from him the Right of Descent hath now made it the Patrimony of Mr. Henry Oxenden .

Whitstaple gives Name to the whole Hundred which surrounds it , and was a Branch of that ample Patrimony , which encreased the Revenue of Alex. de Baliol , E. of Atholl , and he held this and a place called Grafton in this Parish , as likewise a wood called Northwood not farre distant , in the Reign of Henry the third , and left it to his Son and Heir John Earl of Athol , who having with an unsuccessful zeal endeavoured to support the sinking Interest of the Kingdome of Scotland , against the violent Eruptions of Edw. the first , which like an impetuous Inundation , sought to bear down all the Glory of that Nation , into an irrecoverable Ruine , was in an infortunate Encounter made Captive by that Prince , and being attainted of high Treason , and Executed , his Estate here by Escheat devolved to the Crown , and was by Edward the second , in the ninth of his reign granted to Bartholomew Lord Badelesmere : but he having again lost it by his Revolt and Defection in the sixteenth and seventeenth years of that Prince , it revolved to the Crown and continued there , until K. Edward the third in the second year of his Reign restored it to Bartholomew de Badelesmer his Son , who died in the twelfth year of the abovesaid Prince , and left it to his Brother Giles de Badelesmer , and he deceasing without Issue it accrued by Mawde one of his Sisters and Coheirs to be the Inheritance of John Vere Earl of Oxford , and he held it at his Death , which was in the thirty fourth year of Edw. the third , and to this Family it remained by the Links of many Descents successively fastned , until at last that Revolution which is made by Sale cast it into the possession of Phineux ; the last of which who enjoyed it was John Phineux Esquire , who concluded in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth , who by matching with Sir John Smith of Ostenhanger , knit it to his Estate , from whom by the Devolution of Descent it is now come to confess for proprietary the right honourable Philip Viscount Strangford his Grand-child .

Secondly , there is Chestfield , which was the Mansion of a Family which bore that Sirname , and although I can trace none higher by any publick Record then James Chestfield , who paid respective Aid for it at the making the Black Prince Knight , as is manifest by the Book of Aid collected in the twentieth of Edward the third , yet it is upon possible Conjectures to be argued that they were farre more ancient here , because they assumed their Denomination from this Seat ; from Chestfield about the latter end of the Government of Richard the second , it came over by purchase to Henry Reyner ; but whether he issued from Borden , or the Reyners of Borden from him , I cannot discover ; but it is very probable he determined in four Daughters and Coheirs matched to Edmund Meade , Jo. Badkin , John Reynolds , and John Springate , who concurred in one united Consent , and by one common conveyance demised their Interest in it to John Roper of St. Dunstans ; from whom Edward Roper Esquire , now of Well-hall in Eltham , claims the instaut Demeasn and Signory of it .

The third is Grimgill so vulgarly called , but originally and more properly Greenshield , for so it is in Records of an elder Aspect alwayes written . It was the Seat of a Family that was known by that Appellation , and although the Breviat of the private Evidences which relate to it , discover to us owners of the Name no higher then John Greenshield , who flourished here about the entrance into the reign of Henry the sixth , and who was Father to Henry Greenshield , whose Will is Registred at Canterbury , and which bears Date from the last of Edward the fourth ; yet it is more then probable that they were eminent here long before , because the above-recited John and Henry Greenshields , were Lords of no despicable or narrow fortune not onely here , but about Sandwich and Wodnesborough likewise ; from Greenshield by sale the propriety passed over to Quekes of Quekes in Birchington , who suddenly after being extinguished in a Daughter and Heir , all his Interest in Grimgill , was with her transported in Marriage to Crispe , originally extracted out of the County of Glocester ; and Nicholas Crispe Esquire held his Shrievalty here , which was in the second year of Q. Elizabeth ; from Crispe it was by purchase conveyed into the Revenue of Paramour , where after it had for several years been fixed , it was very lately taken off from this Family , and by Sale made the Possession of Mr. Twiman of Canterbury .

Fourthly , here was Condies-place which was the Residence of John Condie , who had in the reign of Edward the third contracted upon himself , ( which is yet indelibly fixed upon his Memory ) a Character of high Account , because he had made an eminent Enemie of the Kings Captive in Congressu Bellico , those are the words of the Record in a personal Combat ; for which he had thirty pound per Annum setled upon him out of the Kings Profits of the Staple at Canterbury by Charter or Grant from Edward the third dated the seventh day of July in the fourteenth year of his reign . Now if you will know , where this memorable Action was commenced , the same Record will inform you , that the Scene of it was laid at Swine in Normandy : But to proceed : this Man not long after he was thus adorned with these Tophies of Honour , paid that Debt to Nature , which we all owe , and left Condies Hall to his Son William Condy , who dying without any lawful Issue , Margaret Condy one of his Sisters became his Co-heir , who by her espousals with Robert Grubbe made Condies Hall parcel of his Demeasn ; but he likewise in the Age subsequent to this determining in Females , Agnes one of his Coheirs being wedded to John Isaack of Blackmanbery in Bridge , did much swell and improve his Patrimony , with that Additional Estate she united to his , and here in this Name was the possession for sundry Descents resident , even till our Fathers Memory . But here for want of Intelligence , I can proceed no farther ; and indeed the Place being fallen from its original Name by Disuse , and that Repute it was under , when it was possest by so noble proprietaries , is now onely fit to find the Common Sepulcher of Oblivion .

Wicheling in the Hundred of Eyhorne , was folded up in the Patrimony of the noble Family of Cobham of Sterborough issued out f●om the Cobhams of Cobham Hall , and of this Family was Reginald de Cobham , who was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the reign of Edward the third , and from this worthy person did this Mannor by successive Devolution come down to Thomas Lord Cobham of Sterborough , who deceased in the eleventh of Edward the fourth , and left his Estate here and elsewhere , to Anne his sole Daughter and Heir marched to Edward Lord Borough called to sit in Parliament as Baron of Sterborough and Gainsborough , in the reign of Henry the seventh , and from him both the Title of Baron and of this Mannor flowed down successively to his Grandchild Thomas Lord Borough , who passed away the Inheritance to Edward Filmer Esquire , whose Grand-child Sir Edward Filmer in relation to that purchase , challenges the instant right and revenue of it .

Willesborough in the Hundreds of Chart and Longbridge has nothing to make it memorable but that it was a principal piece of that revenue which in this County related to the noble and ancient Family of Brent ; of which was Falcatius de Brent , a man whom our English History pencils out to us under a Character of the most perfect Courage and Magnanimity , though disordered with some wild Sallies and Excesses : which peradventure may be attributed to the Evaporations of youth , which is alwayes volatile and airy , rather then to any setled and contracted Habit of vitious Distempers , and mutinous passions which was lodged within Him . But to proceed : when Willesborough had by a successive thread of many Ages been guided along through several Descents down to John Brent , he died and left John Brent his Heir , who expiring without Issue , Margaret his eldest Sister became the Inheritrix of all his possessions , and she being matched with John Dering Esquire of Surrenden Dering , this place by Female right became transplanted into the Patrimony of that Name and Family , and Sir Edward Dering about the year 1635 , conveyed it to Robert Scot of Canterbury Esquire , whose Son and Heir Thomas Scot of Canterbury Esquire is now proprietary of it .

Wilmington in Hundred of Dartford resolves it self into two Mannors which exact a peculiar Cognisance , and the first is Rue Hill ( so it was anciently written though now by vulgar Acceptation it is called Rowe Hill . ) It was in Ages of a higher Track , the patrimony of an illustrious and generous Family called Gise , who were in those times as eminent for the largeness of their possessions , as they were for the Antiquity of their Extraction ; and from hence were the Gises of the Counties of Hereford and Gloucester originally sprouted out . Anselmus de Gise had a Charter of Free Warren granted to his Lands at Rue Hill in Wilmington , in the twenty second year of Edward the first ; but it appears the Possession of this place , invested and fortified with this Grant was not long after united to this Family ; for John Gise this mans Grand-child sold it to Nicholas Brember , who in the twelfth year of Richard the second , being blasted with an impeachment of high Treason , fell an Oblation to the fury of those Lords , who upon pretence of asserting the publick Liberty , sought to fetter up the majesty and prerogative of their Prince , within those narrow Restraints , and Limits which they prescribed to empale it in , and pare off the power of the Crown ( which like Sampson's Locks being shaved Kings remain like other men . ) Upon his attaint Rue Hill resolved into the revenue of the Crown , and King Richard the second in the fourteenth year of his reign granted it to Adam Bamme of London , and in his Lineage was the Inheritance of it sundry Generations wrapt up , till in our Grand-fathers memory it was alienated to Brett ; from whose successor the same Alteration rowled the possession not many years since into Smith .

The second is Highlands which was parcel of the Demeasn of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem , and upon the Dissolution of their Alberge here in England , was granted about the thirty fifth year of Henry the eighth to Sir Thomas Moile , and Sir Maurice Dennis ; the last of which passed away his Concernment in it to Sir Thomas Moile by whose Daughter and Co-heir called Amy Moile , it came to be possest by Sir Thomas Kempe ; who left it to his Son and Heir Sir Thomas Kempe who conveyed it to his Brother Mr. Reginald Kempe , who in our Fathers memory passed it away to Lancelot Bathurst Esquire , Father to Sir Edward Bathurst , who is the instant proprietary of it .

Wodnesborough lies in the Hundred of Eastrie , and spreads it self into many places of no despicable Account . First there is Shelving , which was as high as any Evidence , can waft us to discover , the Demeasn of Houghham of Hougham by Dover , a Family rooted in as deep Antiquity as any in this Track . Robert de Hougham is enrolled in an ancient Register of those Kentish Gentlemen , who supported the cause and Quarrel of Richard the first at the Seige of Acon . Sir Robert de Hougham his Son died possest of it in the second year of Edward the first , and left Robert Hougham his Heir , who determined in Daughters and Co-heirs ; so that Benedicta Houghham one of them being married to John Shelving , this became his Demeasn , where he erected a House , upon which he fixed his Sirname , and called it Shelving , which in those Times was of considerable Repute , though since by the frequent impressions of Age , it is shrunk into Decay and Obscurity , from Shelving one Moitie of it by Sale was transmitted to St. Leger , and so continued distinguished in the Interest of it , till both Shelving and St. Leger did by a mutual Concurrence pass away their joynt right in it to Dynley : where it had not long been Seated , but the like Fatality transferred the Possession of it to White ; and here the Title of it was as unfixt and unstable also : for from this Family by purchase it was carried into the Revenue of Knight , who in our memory altered his Interest in it by Sale to Mr. Solomon Hougham of Sandwich , primitively issued out in a Collateral Line from Sir Robert Hougham , upon whose late Decease his Son and Heir Mr. Richard Hougham is now possessor of it .

Ringleton does secondly exact some Remembrance : It was anciently the Interest of Perot ; for Thomas Perot held it at his Death , which was in the fourth year of Edward the third ; but when this Name was extinguished in a Daughter and Heir , William Langley by matching with Her entituled himself to the Possession of this place , in which Family the Inheritance for sundry Generations was settled , till the Vicissitude of Time by Sale conveyed it into the Demeasn of John White , who was originally a Merchant of the Staple , and did by several Acts of exemplary Munificence , evidence himself to be a liberal Benefactor to Canterbury . But long it was not fastned to the Possession of this Name ; for his Successor alienated it to Butler of Heronden in Eastrie , from which Family Ringleton by the same Mutation was brought to own the Possession of Neame , and his Son Daniel Neame sold it to Spencer of Sandwich , whose Successor Nicholas Spencer dying without Issue , his Sister who was wedded to Hughs descended from Hughs of Middleton Stony in the County of Oxford , who was branched out from the Hughs of North-Wales , by a Relative right deduced from that Alliance , has planted the present Possession in the Patrimony of that Name and Family .

Thirdly upper Hamwold may fall under a Disquisition , because it was wound up in the Estate and Propriety of Greenshield , whose principal residence was at Greenshield in Whitstaple , corruptly called Grimgil , where I have spoken more largely of this Family : onely this I shall add , that Henry Greenshield , who died in the last year of Edward the fourth , was a munificent Benefactor to the poor and other indigent and necessitous people of the Town of Sandwich , to whom he bequeaths by his last Testament very liberal Donations for their relief and support : After this Family of Greenshield was mouldered away at Hamwold , I find the Elis's invested in the Possession , but whether by Alliance or Purchase I cannot discover . After they went out , the Family of Francis was by Purchase from them , seated in the Inheritance , to whose Interest it was not many years united , for from them it passed away by Sale to Wilson , where the Title was not less violate , and cursory ; for from Wilson the like Alienation translated the right of it into Parboe , whose Widow Mrs. Parboe does now enjoy it , as being made part of her Jointure when first she matched with Parboe .

Fourthly , Grove and upper Hamwold are two little Mannors circumscribed likewise within the Limits of Wodnesborough ; and were in the thirty second year of Ed. the third the Inheritance of Pet. de Goldesburgh , or Goldesborough , but the Title made no long abode in this Name after this Man's Exit ; for both , about the latter End of Richard the second , were conveyed to Langley of Knowlton , from whom as suddain a Devolution , about the latter end of Henry the fixth , passed them over to Sir John White of Canterbury a Merchant of the Staple , and he died possest of them in the ninth year of Edward the fourth , as appears , Rot. Esc . Num. 25. After this Family was worn out , I find Stokes planted in the Possession ; from which Name about the latter end of Henry the eighth , they came over by Purchase to one Nicholas Mois Gentleman , and when that Family deserted the Possession which was in our Grand-fathers Remembrance a Fatality proportionate to the former , made them both parcel of the Patrimony of Everard , by whom not many years since , they were alienated to James to the Inheritance of which Family they remain yet linked and united .

Fifthly , Poltmans vulgarly called Poultmans yielded both Seat and Sirname to a Family of some Estimate in this Track , who had here a Castellated Mansion , invested with a Moat , and continued Lords of this Habitation , until Peter Poltman by descendant right came to be possest of it , and he about the fifteenth year of Richard the second conveyed it by Fine to Langley of Knowlton , in whom the Propriety was setled but until the latter end of Henry the sixth , and then it was passed away by Sale to Sir John White : who , dying seised of it in the ninth year of Edward the fourth , by Testament ordered it to be sold for the improvement of Acts of Charity , and pious Uses , and was according to the Tenor of his will conveyed by Sale to Boteler of Heronden in Eastry , and there it made its abode until our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was passed away to Benskin , in which Family the Title is yet permanent .

Woditon in the Hundred of Kinghamford hath three places in it of considerable Estimate . The first is Gedding which K. Cedwall and Keneldrith his Queen , in the year of Grace 693 gave to Theodore Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , and the Covent of Christ-Church in Canterbury , free ( as the original Donation informs me ) as Adesham , and was by them afterwards assigned to the Sacrist or Sexton of Christ-Church , for his livelyhood and Subsistance , an Office in elder Times of no contemptible Account in the Repute and Vogue of the Monks of that Cloister ; for the sacred Utensils of the Church were not only committed to his Care and Custody , but he was likewise to make Preparation for the Celebration of the Mass , and the performance of other divine and sacred Officers , and because he might be more active and vigorous in the Managery and execution of his Trust , these under-Officers were to be subservient and and ministerial to him , their Catalogue sollows .

1 Custos de Wexhouse . 2 Primus serviens Ecclesiae ad pulsandum . 3 Vigil Ecclesiae . 4 Plumbarius Sacristae . 5 Duo Clerici Altaris beatae Mariae . 6 Duo Clerici Tumbae & Martyrii . 7 Quatuor servientes Ecclesiae ad pulsandum . 8 Vitriarius , & Garcio ejus . 9 Ostiarius Chori . 10 Serviens Feretri . 11 Aurifriga & lotrix Ecclesiae .

For which last ( the rest being of easie understanding , ) I conceive it was one that either wrought the Church Vestments , or Hangings , and the like , in Gold , or that refreshed them , when they were dim or tarnished . But to proceed : this Mannor being with the Remainder of the Revenue of the Priory of Christ-Church , surrendred into the Hands of Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his reign , who afterwards in the thirty first of his Government granted it to Mr. Edward Foch of Hells Court in this Parish ; from whom it descended to Thomas Foch of Monkton in the Isle of Thanet Esquire , who deceasing not many years since gave it to his second Son Major John Foch of London , and he hath lately passed it away to his elder Brother Thomas Foch Esquire .

Hells is a second place of Note , which for divers Descents , until the reign of Henry the fourth , confessed no other Proprietaries , but Hells of Hell . Court in Ash : and then , they abandoning the Possession , it came to be enjoyed by Merywether , and remained linked to the Patrimony of this Name , until the latter end of Henry the eighth , and then by a Female Inheritrix is came to confess the Signory of Foch , in Right of which Alliance it is now the Inheritance of Thomas Foch Esquire .

Wickham Bushes is another Mannor which has its Situation within the Limits of Woditon , and was , as the Light of the most ancient Evidences does guide us to believe , the Patrimony of Guldeford ; for Henry de Guldeford , ( as the Book of Aid discovers to us ) did hold it by Knights Service , of Geffrey de Say , in the twentieth year of Ed. the third ; but in a Descent or two after , this Family was shrunk away from the possession of this place , and then the ancient and illustrious Family of Digge of Digge's Court in Berham , was the next which succeeded in the Propriety and Inheritance , and to this Name was the Title of this place , by a successive Series of many Generations fastned , till in our Fathers Memory it was by sale rent off , and by that Alienation linked to the Revenue of Coppen , in whose Demeasn the Interest of it at this Day continues included .

Woodchurch in the Hundred of Blackbourn , was the Habitation of a Family of as deep Root in Antiquity as any in this Track , who extracted their Sirname , as well as borrowed their first Original , from this place . Roger de Woodchurch is the first who does occurre , who in the ancient Evidences and the Deeds of this place , which are not cloistered within any Date finds a frequent Mention , and from him ( as appears by an old Pedigree of this Family ) did it devolve to his Grandchild Sir Simon de Woodchurch , who is in the Register of those eminent Persons who accompanied Edward the first in his Victorious and triumphant Expedition into Scotland , where his Victories entailed upon his Memory the Character of Malleus Scotorum , but in this Sir Simon : the Name though not the Male Line determined , for he by matching with Susan , Heir of Henry le Clerke of Munfidde , brought a large Inheritance to own the Signory of Woodchurch ; and his Successors in Gratitude to a Family which had added so much of splendor , and annexed so plentiful a Revenue to this Name , altered their paternal Appellation from Woodchurch to Clerke ; and so in all their Deeds subsequent to this Match , have written Clerke aliàs Woodchurch ever since . But as all Families have their Descent and Period , as well as Gradation and Ascent , so had this ; for after this Mannor had for so many hundred years continued in this Family which had been productive of Men which had been planted in places of the greatest Eminence , by which they were obliged to perform Service to their Country , it came down at last to Humfrey Clerk Esquire , who about the year 1594 , passed it away by Sale to Walter Harlackenden Esquire ; by whose Daughter and Heir called Deborah Harlackenden , it was united to the Revenue of Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet : upon whose late Decease it is now descended to his Grand-child Sir Edward Hales Baronet , who is entitled to the instant Signory of it .

Pleurinden in this Parish is a Branch of that Estate which fell under the Signory of the ancient and Knightly Family of Engham , very frequently in old Deeds and other Monuments written Edingham , and sometimes Hengham : In a Deed wherein there is mention of a Match between ....... one of the Co-heirs of Sir Stephen de Penchester , and Henry de Cobham , and wherein some Land is conveyed over to Cobham , there are these Persons recorded to be Testes to it , William de Savage , William de Oure , Otho de Grandison , and Roger de Hengham . The Deed is very ancient , and though not confined to any strict or precise Date , yet commences from the reign of Edward the first , and from this Roger did Vincent Engham Esquire lineally descend , who in the ....... year of Q. Elizabeth , passed it away by Sale to Roger Twisden Esquire , Grand-father to Sir Roger Twisden Baronet , in whom is fixed the instant Propriety of it .

Tounland is another Mannor in Woodchurch which had anciently Owners of that Sirname . Rafe de la Thun died seised of this Mannor and other Lands in Woodchurch the forty third year of Hen. the third : After him I find Richard de Tunland possest of it in the reign of Henry the third , and Edward the first ; and had Issue Thomas de Tunl●nd who died seised of it in the fifth year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 13. and left it to his Son and Heir John de Tunland , who was an eminent Benefactor to the priory of Leeds , to which Covent he added this Mannor to improve their Revenue at the time of his Decease , which was in the forty seventh year of Edward the third , and here it remained until the Dissolution , and then it was granted by Henry the eighth to Thomas Lord Cromwell : and after his Attaint in the thirty second year of his reign , being escheated , it was in the thirty fifth of Henry the eighth regranted to Sir Thomas Moile Chancellor of the Court of Augmentation , and he in the thirty sixth year of Henry the eighth , passed it away by Sale to William Goodwin , and Tho. Ancos , and they not long after alienated their Right in it to Lucas : in which Family it continued but until the Beginning of Q. Elizabeth , and then it was conveyed by Sale to Thomas Godfrey , whose Son James Godfrey in the tenth year of Q. Elizabeth , transferred it by the like Devolution to Mary Guldford ; and she again in the eleventh year of that Princess demised it to Richard Guldford , and he not long after sold it away to Shelley of Michelgrove , and John Shelley as I find by a Court Roll relating to this place , held it in the eighteenth of Q. Elizabeth , and in the Descendant of this Name and Family is the Inheritance of it , if I be not misinformed , at this instant placed .

Henherst is the last place considerable in Woodchurch , which was the possession of a Family of that Denomination , of whom I have spoken at Stapleherst , where they enjoyed another Mannor of this Name , and of which Family this here was but a Cadet or younger Slip , and was written sometimes Henherst , and as often in old Deeds Engherst , and continued Owners of this place , until the reign of Henry the seventh , and then it devolved to Sir Thomas Hengherst , who was the last of that Name which held this place , for he dying without Issue Male , Humfrey Wise who had matched with his Daughter and Heir in her right was invested in the Inheritance of it , but he deceasing likewise without Issue Male , his sole Inheritrix united it by marriage to the Revenue of her Husband Mr. Robert Masters , Great Grand-father to Mr. Edward Masters of Canterbury ; in whom the propriety of this place is at this prefent continued .

Henden likewise is an Appendage to Woodchurch , from whence certainly the Name of Henden originally streamed out , though it be brought down to our Times in so crooked and perplexed a Chanel , that we cannot discover it in all the wandrings and Digressions of it , though the Family was made more conspicuous , by Sir Edward Henden one of the Barons of the Exchequer to the late King Charles : who for his clear speculation and insight into the deepest and most mysterious Intrigues of the Municipal Law of England , was commonly called the Picklock of it . But this is a Diversion : The ancient Proprietaries of Henden , represented to us by the eldest Records , were the Lords Burwash , very frequently written Burghherst , and Bartholomew Lord Burwash had a Charter of Free Warren granted to Henden , in the eighteenth year of Edward the third . And when this Family had deserted the Possession of this place , the next which successively held it were the Capells of Capells Court in Ivie-Church , and Richard Capell died seised of it in the fifteenth year of Richard the second : and here , after it had been for some Generations fixed , the Name resolved into a Daughter and Heir , who was matched unto Harlackenden , and so it became twisted into the Revenue of that Family , and so remained till Deborah Harlackenden the Heir General of Walter Harlackenden , a Branch of this Stock , by being wedded to Sir Edward Hales Knight and Baronet , Grand-father to Sir Edward Hales now of Tunstall Baronet , wound it up in the Demeasn and Interest of that Honourable Family .

The Borough of Harlackenden is situated in this Parish , and has been for many hundred of years the Patrimonial Demeasn of that Name and Family , as appears by a Tomb in the Church of Woodchurch , whose Inscription signifies that one of them lies enterr'd there a little after the Conquest : and though the Character be in the proportion and Shape of it very much like that which was in use in the reign of Hen. the fourth , and Henry the fifth , and so makes the Truth of it disputable , yet to this 't is answered , that there was an old Tombstone there before , with the same Inscription upon it , insculped peradventure in a Saxon Character , or such an one as was proportionate to that time in which that person died , who lies there entombed : which being decayed his Successors to perpetuate and inforce the Memory of so ancient a Predecessor , fixed this Stone upon his Grave , and , to make the Memorial more obvious , did cause the Epitaph to be engraven in such a Letter , as was Customary to the Time of that Prince , in whose reign it was laid upon the Ashes beneath . In Greys Inne Hall by particular Inspection I have observed the Arms of this Family , viz. Azure A fesse Ermin between three Lions Heads erased Or , to be painted in an upper Window , which appears to be of very venerable Antiquity , and this justifies those fair Attributes of Noble , Ancient , and Illustrious , which may with very good Reason be entituled to this Family , of which is Thomas Harlackenden Esquire , who by inherent right transmitted to him by a never-ebbing stream of so many multiplied Descents is the instant proprietary of this Borough .

Edingham , vulgarly called Engham , is the last place of Account within the Verge of Woodchurch , and was , in Times of elder date , before they transplanted themselves to Singleton in Great Chart , the Mansion of the Enghams : who as they placed here their Seat , extracted from hence to their Sirname a Family doubtless of profound Antiquity , and no less Reputation ; as may appear by those large Possessions which they were interessed in , in several parts of Romney Mersh , written in old Records sometimes Edingham , and by Contraction Engham , and very frequently Hengham . And it is very probable from the Identity of the Name , that Rafe de Hengham the eminent Lord Chief Justice in the reign of Edward the first was of this Family . * * Pat. de Anno secundo Ed. tertii Parte secunda Memb. 23. Sir Audomer ( or Aymer ) de Engham was Justice of Chester in the second year of Edward the third , and was issued out originally from this Family , and it is possible Audomar or Odmer de Hengham who lies buried in Christ-Church at Canterbury in the year 1411 was his Son and what much enhaunses the Honour of this Family , he is written in the Latin Inscription affix'd to his Tomb Audomarus Hengham Armiger : and in this Name was the Inheritance of this place conducted along through many Generations of the Enghams , even till our Grand-fathers Memory , and then it was by sale alienated to Baker , who is now the Possessor of that Seat which formerly made the Name of Engham , so conspicuous in this County .

Wolwich has been in elder Times written Wolnewich , is in the Hundred of Lesnes , and was the propriety of Gilbert de Marisco , who stands first in the Inventory of those who were its former possessors , and he held it about the Beginning of Edward the first , and assumed this Name de Marisco , from that Estate which he enjoyed in the Mersh beneath this Town : and it seems his Fortune was of no narrow Dimension , for he held this Mannor under the Notion of half a Knights Fee , in the above mentioned Prince's reign of Warren de Montchensie Baron of Swanscampe : After him Sabina de Windlesor possest it about the seventeenth year of Edward the second , by the fourth part of a Knights Fee also , of the Barony of Montchensie at Swanscampe . And then next successively to her did John de Pultney hold it in the twentieth year of Edward the third , as this Lady had held it before by the fourth part of a Knights Fee , and of the Honour of Montchensie in like manner : from whom it passed away to William Chichley , a Kinsman of that eminent Prelates Henry Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury . And this man had Issue John Chichley , who deceased without Issue Male , and left onely Agnes his Heir matched with John Tatersal , who flourished here in her right much of the Rule of Henry the sixth , and some of that of Edward the fourth , and then alienated the Interest of this place to Boughton , in which Family the Interest of it remained , til by sale it was divided from it , and united to the patrimony of Heywood , where it seems the Title was supported with no constant possession ; for shortly after , almost in less then our Fathers Memory the right of it was by the former Fatality translated into Sir Nicholas Gilbourne Father to Henry Gilbourne Esquire , to whom this Mannor gives up the right of its present possession .

It appears that the Commissions of Sewers which are now yearly issued for to make a diligent Inspection into those Banks and the Defects of them , which protect and secure the adjacent Mershes from the encroachments , and eruptions of the Thames was of authentick and ancient use ; for a Commission went out ( as is manifest by Pat. 17. Edwardi secundi ) for repairing a very great Breach the waters by an Inundation had made into the Mershes which lie extended between Wolwich and Greenewich .

Wrotham gives Name to the whole Hundred where it is seated , and is registred in the List of those Mannors which formerly encreased the revenue and supported the Dignity of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury ; and if you will see how it was rated in the Time of the Conquerour , consult Dooms-day Book , and that speaks thus , Wrotham est Manerium Archiepiscopi & T. E. R. defendebat se pro VIII Sullings & est appretiatum 24 lb. and continued treasured in their patrimony until the twenty ninth year of Henry the eighth , and then it was exchanged by Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with the Crown , and lay clasped up in the Kingly revenue until the sixth year of Edw. the sixth , and then it was granted to Sir William Mason , who partly passed it away by sale , and partly gave it in Dower with his Daughter matched to Robert Bing Esquire , whose Successor Mr. John Bing hath lately passed away his entire Interest in it to * * Se more of this Family at Eigtham , where I have rendered an Account how they alter'd the Name of Haestrecht to James . William James of Eigtham Esq ; descended from an ancient Family called Haestrecht near Vtrecht : to which Family Will . Camden Clarenceux King of Arms through mistake and inadvertency assigned Argent a Cheveron between three Mill Rinds Sables as the paternal Coat of this Family ; whereas , had he made a serious Review , he would have discovered that the Original Coat of Haestrecht , was Argent two Barrs Crenellee Gules three Pheons in chief Sables ; which mistake , that I may the better rectifie , I have represented both in Sculpture , to the view of the Reader .

Wrotham had a Market procured to it by Walter Reynolds Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the eighth year of Edward the second .

Wingfield is a second Mannor in Wrotham which in Times very ancient acknowledged the propriety of Quintin a Family though not of signal , yet of no cheap Account in this Tract ; and was by Gilbert Quintin and Joan his Wife in the thirty first year of Henry the eighth , passed away by Fine to James Peckham , from whom by a Clew of several Generations it was conducted down to James Peckham Gentleman , who about the beginning of K. James conveyed it to Nicholas Miller of Horsnells Crouch Esq ; who deceasing without Issue bequeathed it to his Nephew Sir Nicholas Miller ; upon whose late paying that Debt we all owe to Nature , it is now Humf. Millers Esquire .

Yaldham or Aldham is another Seat of considerable Account in Wrotham , especially since it celebrates the Memory of Thomas de Aldham , who by a pious Assistance supported the Arms and Cause of Richard the first when he was engaged at the Siege of Acon : and from him it descended to Sir Thomas de Aldham , who determining in three Daughters and Coheirs , Margery one of them by matching with Martin de Peckham , descended from John de Peckham ( who likewise fills up the Catalogue of those Kentish Gentlemen , who by their signal Courage made themselves considerable under Richard the first at the Siege of Acon . ) did augment his Patrimony by the Union of hers at this place to it . And from him hath an undisturbed Channel of many Descents flowing through sundry worthy persons of very remarkable Repute in their respective Generations , brought it down to confess the Signory of Reginald Peckham Esquire .

Barsted is the last Mannor in Wrotham which accrued to James Peckham by matching wich the Sole Heir of Sir Thomas Moraunt , and hath lain ever since wrapped up in the Demeasn of that Family , so that at present it is part of the patrimony of Reginald Peckham of Yaldham Esquire .

Ford in this parish has been for some Centuries of years the possession of Clerk , very frequently written in old Evidences le Clerk . John Clerk Son of John Clerk was the second Baron of the Exchequer about the beginning of the reign of Henry the sixth , from whom in a lineal succession Sir William Clerk did descend : who when this Nation was engaged in the Flame of the late Civil Contention , offered up his Life to the Commands of his late Majesty , in that signal Confflict which was commenced between Sir William Waller and the Royal party at Cropreadie Bridge : and , which is more remarkable , after he had received a mortal Wound , as if he had had a greater Care of his Friend's Security then of his own , poured out his last Breath in this Expression , Look to Sir William Butler , for I saw him fall . After whose Decease the right of this Mansion being included in the jointure of his Lady Dowager , she in Relation to that first settlement now holds the possession of it .

Pleckston was formerly a Borough appertaining to Wrotham : but by an ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament , bearing Date from the year of our Lord , 1647 , it was enacted , there should be a Collection thoroughout this County , towards the erecting a Parochial Church at this place , and the establishing a Congregation proportionate to it , which was effected accordingly ; so that now it hath the Repute of a Parish , seperate and distinct from Wrotham , and contains within its Limits the Mannor of Sore , which was in times of a more ancient Complexion parcel of the patrimony of the Colepepers of Preston in Alresford ; for Walter Colepeper , dyed possest of it , in the first year of Edward the third , from whom an uninterrupted flowing of Descent , wafted the Title down to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Preston , who passed it away to Nicholas Miller Esquire , of Horsnells Crouch in Wrotham , and he upon his decease , disposed of his Right in it to his Nephew Sir Nicholas Miller of Oxenhoath , upon whose late Decease , it descended to his Son and Heir Humphrey Miller Esquire .

Wormsell is a small despicable Parish , in the Hundred of Eyhorn , and was ever esteemed an Appendage to the Mannor of Boughton Malherbe , and had ever the same Proprietaries , as namely , Gatton , Dene , Corbie , and lastly Wotton ; in which last Family it remained untill the latter end of Henry the eighth ; and then it was passed away to Dynley , where it rested untill our Fathers Memory ; and then it was conveyed to Sydley , so that it now owns the propriety of Sir Charles Sydley Baronet .

Wouldham lies in the Hundred of Larkefield , and was given to Ernulf Bishop of Rochester , by Ethelbert King of Kent , in the year 762 , who for this and other his Munificent Donations , by which he so much enlarged , and multiplyed the Revenue of the Sea at Rochester , is represented to us at this day , by the Records of that Church , under the Character and Pourtraicture of pius Ethelbertus : but the Steeple , and much of the Fabrick of the Church , owe their original to the Charity and Beneficence of Stephen Slegge , who was Sheriff of Kent in the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth , and bequeathed by his Will in the thirty sixth year of that Prince's reign , a 100. Marks , to be disbursed and expended on the Church and Steeple of Wouldham .

Rings is a small Mannor that spreads it self partly into Wouldham , and partly into the Parish of St. Margarets not far distant , but was eminent formerly , because it was the Demeasn in part of the noble Family of Cosington of Cosington in Alresford , the other Moiety acknowledging the Signory of Carter ; Cosington sold his proportion to Whorne of Whornes-place in Cuckston ; and Carter alienated his to Laurence , who not long after , by a mutual Deed of Conveyance , passed away their joynt Interest in it to Hadds of Meriam-court in Wicheling , who was scarce setled in his new purchase , but he by Sale transplanted his right in it into Thomas Roydon of Roydon-court in Peckham , who was one of those , who in the thirty first year of Henry the eighth , altered , by Act of Parliament , their possessions from the Nature and Tenure of Gavelkind to that of Knights Service . From Roydon , this place ( as appears by the private Evidences of Mr. John Marsham ) by the former Alienation , was carried into the Demeasn of Brockhull of Aldington Septuans in Thurnham , where the possession was not long resident ; for Henry Brockhull conveyed it away to Nicholas Lewson of the County of Stafford , whose Grandchild Sir Richard Lewson , desiring to circumscribe his Revenue within the more close circumference of Staffordshire , sold his Concernment here to John Marsham Esquire , originally extracted out of Norfolk : to whose Name , those learned pieces which he hath made publick , as namely his accurate Disquisitions upon Daniel ; and his elaborate Preface , prefixed to the monastick Survey , styled Monasticum Anglicanum ; shall stand in future Ages , both Urn and Epitaph .

Starkeys is another place wholly involved within the Limits of Wouldham , but formerly it was not known by this Name : for in Times of elder Aspect I believe it could scarce entitle it self to any Mansion though it had the Repute of a Mannor , and under that Notion is it mentioned to be held by Sir John Buckland , in the twentieth year of Edward the third , as appears by the Book called Feoda Militum kept in the Exchequer , where it is styled the Mannor of Little-Wouldham . After this Family was worn out , the Newmans were the next ; who , by purchase from them , became possessors of the Fee , but stayed not long in the Tenure of it ; for in a Descent or two after , Henry Newman alienated the Inheritance to Humphrey Starkey one of the Barons of the Exchequer , in the reign of Henry the seventh , who erected here that House , which ever since hath been adopted into his Name ; he was descended from the Starkyes of Wrenbery and Oulton in Cheshire , and lyes entombed under a fair Monument , in the Parish Church of St. Leonards Shorditch in London , which the Injuries of time , and impious Mechanicks together have much empaired , but it seems the Name of the House could not entail it on his posterity , for his Successor sold it to Sir John Rainsford , a man of great Demeasne about Lose , East and West-Barming , and of no lesse Authority with Henry the eighth ; who not long after conveyed it over to Lambe ; from whom the Fate of Sale , brought the Inheritance to Nicholas Lewson Esquire , whose Grandchild Sir Richard Lewson , upon those motives which incited him to alienate Rings , which was to contract his whole Demeasne into Staffordshire , transferred his Right in this likewise , to Jo. Marsham Esq ; formerly one of the six Clerks : of whose Learning and Merit I have spoken , when I treated of Rings .

Beaulies-court is the last place of Note in this Parish to be discoursed upon : it was formerly in Records written Sellers , and gave Sirname to a Family known by that Appellation ; for John at Seller ( under that Orthography he is recorded in the Book of Aide ) held this place by Knights Service of the Bishop of Rochester in the twentieth year of Edward the third ; and the Arms of this Family , stand depicted in an old pane of Glasse , yet remaining in Wouldham-church , videlicet Argent a Salteir between four Mullets Gules , and is now quartered by Beauly ; for when this Name concluded in a Female Heir , she by her espousals with Beauly , knit this Seat and the propriety of it to their patrimony ; who , for some Additions they angmented the House with , changed the Name of Sellers into Beaulies-court , and by a Right brought down to him by a Chain of Sundry Generations from the former Alliance , does Mr. Thomas Beauly , now of London Merchant , claim his present Interest in it .

Wye gives Name to the whole Hundred wherein it is placed , and is in Latine Records frequently called Vaga , or wandring , and in the British Dialect it imports as much , from whence they imposed the Name of Wye , on a noted River in Herefordshire , from its crooked and perplexed Digressions . It was a Mannor which belonged to the Crown before the Conquest , and King William the first , gave it to Battell Abby : I recite the Donation , because it reserves the Earl of Kents Deniers or tertium Denarium , a singular Testimony of grounding and conferring the Dignity , and justifies the unparallelled Title it hath , of being called Regale Manerium de Wye , The Royal Mannor of Wye ; for the Signory of 22 Towns lying crosse the Country from hence to Battell pertain unto it .

Aldons , Dods , West-Sture , Bromsford , Shotenton , with the Mannor of the Vicaridge were given by John Kempe , first Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and Lord Chancellor of England , and after Cardinal to the Colledge of Wye , which he had erected and dedicated to St. Martin and St. Gregory ; which , upon the Suppression , were setled in the patrimony of the Crown , till Queen Elizabeth granted them to her Kinsman Henry Cary Baron of Hunsdon , whose Grandchild Henry Earl of Dover , not many years since conveyed them to Sir Thomas Finch Earl of Winchelsey , whose Son Heneage Earl of Winchelsey , has the instant Signory of them .

Ollantigh was a place of no Account , till Cardinal Kemp instituted here an Oratory or Chappel , which is yet annexed to the House , but the Mansion it self was built by Sir Thomas Kempe , made Knight of the Bath , at the marriage of Prince Arthur , eldest Son to Henry the seventh , and in this Name the possession continued , till Sir Thomas Kempe this mans Successor deceased without Issue-male , and left four Daughters and Coheirs , matched with Diggs , Cutts , Chichley , and Skipwith ; who all by mutual Consent did devest themselves of their right to this place , and by Sale transmitted it to Sir Timothy Thornhil , whose Grandchild Mr. Hen. Thornhil ( though not without much strugling and Contest , there being lately another Title derived from Reginald Kempe , Brother to Sir Tho. set up against his ) does hold the instant propriety of it .

Wilmington is an ancient Seat in this Parish which had formerly the Reputation of a Mannor , and was parcel of the Revenue of the noble Family of Corbie ; for Robert de Corbie did enjoy it at his Death , which was in the thirty ninth year of K. Edward the third : and after this Family was dislodged from the Possession , the Chivalers came in and enjoyed the Inheritance , for William Chivaler held it at his Decease , which was in the first year of Richard the second , after whom John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk , possest it about the year 1461 , who dying without Issue , John Howard his Kinsman was invested with the Title of Duke of Norfolk , as being descended from the Lady Margaret Daughter of Thomas de Brotherton first Duke of Norfolk in the first year of Richard the third , and with his Title he had the Inheritance of Wilmington , which did not remain knit any long space to his Name : for in the year 1486 , he found an untimely Sepulcher with his Master Richard the third in the Ruines of Bosworth Field , where he offered up his Life to the Cause of that Prince , as a grateful Expiation of those Favours which he had received from his Bounty , after whose Decease this place by Escheat was swallowed up in the revenue of the Crown , where the Possession slumbered , till K. Edward the sixth about the second year of his reign granted it to Edward Paget Esquire , in which Family it resided until our Fathers Memory , and then it was conveyed to Barrow .

Bilting is another place in Wye of no vulgar Estimate . It lies partly in Godmersham , and partly in this Parish , and was for many hundred years the patrimony of a Family which bore that Sirname , and remained linked to their Demeasn , until the ninth year of Q. Elizabeth : and then William Bilting deceasing without Issue , Arthur Franklin , and Richard Vidian were found to be his Heirs , and upon the Division of the Estate into parcels , this swelled the Estate of Franklin with a new Addition , and continued in that Name , until not many years since partly by Sale , and partly by Marriage it was settled upon Mr. William Cowper of Maidstone , upon whose late Decease it is now devolved by successive Right to his Descendant Mr. ....... Cowper now in his Minoritie .

Perry Court is the next place which obliges us to a Consideration . It was wrapped up , in that Demeasn which related to the Colledge of Wye , and was purchased by Cardinal John Kempe of Thomas Aldon ( whose Ancestors had held it many Descents before ) in the twenty eighth year of Henry the sixth , and by him annexed to the Colledge above mentioned , of his own Institution and Foundation : But the publick Dissolution in the reign of Henry the eighth having snatched it away , it was by the Grant of that Prince made the Inheritance of Mr. John Buckler , who about the beginning of Edward the sixth , passed it away to Sir William Damsell emploid as Agent from that Prince to the Crown of France , and he going out in four Daughters and Coheirs , one of them by matching with Burston made it upon the disunion of the the Body of the Estate into parcels , a Limb of his patrimony ; and remained so , until our Fathers remembrance , and then it was conveyed to Moil of Buckwell , and was not many years since conveyed by Robert Moile Esquire , alienated by Sale to Sir Thomas Finch , afterwards Earl of Winchelsey , Father to Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsey now Proprietary of it .

Raymonds is the last place of Account in Wye , which afforded a Seat , and gave a Sirname to a Family so called , and were eminent in this Parish many hundred years since , as being Stewards to the Abby of Battle for Lands near this place , and it is probable this place was the original Seminary or Fountain from whence the Raimonds of Essex , Norfolk , and other Counties in this Nation , deduced their primitive Extraction : But to advance in my discourse : this Family of Raymond having long since abandoned the Signory of this place , it hath been for sundry Descents the Inheritance of Beck , and is still entituled to the propriety of one of this Name and Family .

Y. Y. Y. Y.

YAlding in the Hundred of Twyford : It was in old Saxon Orthography written Ealding from the Watry Situation of the Meadows . It was made eminent by being parcel of the Inheritance of the Earls of Gloucester whose Sirname was de Clare , under whose Signory it remained till Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hertford , who deceased in the eighth year of Edward the second , and left Margaret de Clare his sole Heir , who was married to Hugh de Audley , who became , in right of his Wife , Lord of the propriety of Yalding , and Earl of Gloucester likewise ; but enjoyed neither no considerable space of Time ; for he died in the twenty first year of Edward the first , and left no Issue Male : so that Margaret Audley became his Heir , who by matching with Rafe Earl of Stafford , cast it into his patrimony ; and he at his Death , which was in the forty sixth year of Edward the third in her right was found to be possest of it ; and in this Family did the Inheritance fix it self till the reign of Henry the eighth , and then Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham , descended in a direct line from the abovesaid Rafe Stafford , having by his own improvidence and miscarriage laid himself open to the Malitious Assaults of Cardinal Wolsey , He by blowing of wild Conjectures into the Ears of King Henry the eighth , blew up the fire of his rage into that height and fury , that nothing could extinguish it but the Blood of this Peer poured out by an untimely Effusion upon the Scaffold : upon whose infortunate Decease his Estate by Forfeiture and Escheat devolved to the Crown . And K. Henry the eighth suddenly after granted Yalding to his Kinsman Hen. Somerset E. of Worcester , whose Father Charles Somerset he in the seventh year of his Government by a new Creation had adorned with that Title ; from whom not long after it was by purchase incorporated into the Patrimony of Nevill Baron of Aburgavenny , whose Successor is John Nevill both in the Barony , and in the Inheritance of Yalding .

Woodfold is a place not to be declined without some Consideration ; because it was a place formerly of no contemptible repute : for Anselmus de Quintin , originally issued out from the ancient Family of Boupton in Wiltshire held it in the twentieth year of Edward the third , by the fourth part of a Knights Feee , ( as the Book of Aid testifies ) at the making the Black Prince Knight ; and here after the Possession divers years had resided , it shrunk away from this Family , and by purchase was carried into the Inheritance of Burton , where likewise it was some Generations settled , till the same Vicissitude , made it as inconstant here , as it had been to the former Family , and by Sale transported the right of it to Vane , a younger Branch of Vane Earl of Westmerland , in whose Name and Posterity the Patrimonial Interest of it continues still wrapt up .

Lodingford is another mannor in Yalding , which belonged to the priory of Bermondsey , and upon the Suppression of that magnificent Cloister , was annexed to the revenue of the Crown , but made no long abode there : for Henry the eighth granted it to Tho. Wood Esquire , and he not long after alienated it by Sale to George Fane Esquire , Ancestor to the right Honourable Mildmay Fane , now Earl of Westmerland , the instant Lord of the Fee .

Yalding had the Grant of a Market to be observed there weekly , procured to it by Hugh de Audley ; and a Fair to continue three Days yearly , viz. the Vigil , the Day of St. Peter and Paul , and the subsequent to it , as appears , Pat. 12. Edw. secundi N. 57.

The Description of the ISLANDS .

ELmeley is an Island not farre removed from Feversham , but yet is situated in the Hundred of Milton , it was in elder Times parcel of the Demeasn of Peyforer . Fulk de Peyforer held it at his Death , which was in the fifth year of Edward the first , from whom it was transported by Descent to his Son Fulk de Peyforer , who likewise was in possession of it at his Decease , which was in the ninth year of Edward the second : but before the latter end of Edward the third , this Name and Family was shrunk into a Daughter and Heir called Julian , who by matching with Thomas St. Leger , annexed that Interess that Family had in this Island to his Inheritance , and from him the like Vicissitude carried it off to Hen. Aucher , who had espoused Joan his Coheir ; but before the latter end of Hen. the fifth his right in Elmeley was by Sale transplanted into Cromer of London , who likewise before had purchased some proportion of Estate which the Heirs of * * Sir Rob. Knolles Feoffee in Trust for Grey , and Talbot passed away 1000 Acres in Elmeley to Sir Will . Cromer 7. Hen. 4. Hastings had in this Island by a right deduced from Mayney ; for Sir Walter de Mayney Knight of the Garter , died the forty ninth year of Edward the third , and left onely a Sole Daughter and Heir called Anno , who by matching with John Hastings Earl of Pembroke , brought Tunstall and much other Land here in Elmeley and elsewhere , to be the patrimony of that Family : But to proceed : Elmeley being thus entirely made the Demeasn of Cromer , continued linked , to this Family many Descents , until Sir James Cromer the last of this Name almost in our memory died and left three Daughters and Coheirs surviving ( for Martha the fourth died unmarried ) to share his Estate . Frances was matched to Sir Mathew Carew , Elizabeth married Sir John Steed , and Christian espoused Sir John Hales ; and so these three dividing Elmeley ▪ the Descendants which claimed from Carew and Steed , have very lately by Sale conveyed theirs , and so by Consequence the Sole Interest of this Island unto Sir Edward Hales of Tunstal .

Graine Island lies in the Hundred of Hoo , and had still the same Owners with the Mannor of Malmains in Stoke not farre distant . Nicholas Malmains held it at his Death which was in the twenty third year of Edward the third , and from him did the Title stream in this Family until the beginning of Henry the fourth , and then it went away by Sale to Iden of Ripley Court in Westwell , and in this Family did the Possession dwell , untill the beginning of Henry the eighth , and then it was alienated to John Parks Gentleman , and he not long after dying without Issue Male , Elizabeth his Sole Inheritrix , who was wedded to John Roper of Bedmaneore in Lingsted Esquire united it to his Patrimony , and from him is it now descended to his Successor Christopher Roper the instant Baron of Tenham .

Hartie lies in the Hundred of Feversham , and did anciently acknowledge the Dominion of the Abbot and Covent of Feversham , until John , Abbot of that place in the tenth year of Henry the eighth obtained a Licence from the Crown to alienate it to Thomas Colepeper Esquire ; but here its abode was of no long Moment ; for about the latter end of Henry the eighth it was transmitted by Sale to Sir Thomas Cheyney , whose Son the Lord Henry Cheyney about the middle of Q. Elizabeth passed it away to Samuel Thornhill Esquire great Grand-father to Mr. ....... Thornhill , the instant Owner of it .

Oxney Island is an Hundred within it self . The first place of eminence which offers it self to a Survey , is Witresham , which anciently belonged to the Monks of Christ-church , and was given to that Cloister , in the year 132 , by Edsin Bishop of St. Martins without Cant. but upon the Suppression of that Covent in the reign of Hen. the eighth , this Mannor with all its appendant was Immunities granted to Hen. Crispe Esq ; whose Son Nicholas Crispe , held it the sixth of Q. Eliz. and after him James Hales Esquire : and he in the thirteenth of that Princess alienated it to Freak , in which Family it remained untill the Beginning of King James ; and then it was conveyed by Sir Thomas Freak , to Sir Thomas Bishop , and he in the sixteenth year of the abovesaid Prince , gave it in marriage with his Daughter Mrs. Jane Bishop , to Edward Alford Esquire ; and she in right of that original Settlement does now hold this Mannor .

Palstre is another Mannor in Witresham , which represents to us the memory of John de Palstre , who was anciently Lord of the Fee : but before the end of Edward the third , this Family was vanished ; and then the Charles's , a Family of generous rank at Addington were setled in the possession , and Richard Charles held it , in the fifth year of Richard the second , and so did Nicholas Charles , who dyed possest of it in the eleventh year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 16. And from this Family by Alice one of the Coheirs , it devolved to William Snath , and he concluding in a Daughter and Heir , she by matching with Watton , brought it to be united to the patrimony of this Family . And here it made its Re dence untill the reign of Heury the sixth ; and then it was passed away to Robert Rudston Esquire , who being embarked in the reign of Queen Mary , in the Design of Sir Thomas Wiatt , although he did not forfeit his Life , yet he did that of his Estate , which by the special Indulgence of that Princesse , was granted back to him , in the second year of her reign , in which this was involved , which remained with this Family untill allmost our Time ; and then it was passed away to Sir Edward Henden , one of the Barons of the Exchequer , who dying not long since without Issue , gave it to his Nephew Sir John Henden , Father to Edw. Henden Esq ; the instant Lord of the Fee .

Owlye is another Mannor in Witresham , which anciently was written Ovely , as having owners of that Sirname , who stayed not here untill the Beginning of Richard the second , but were extinguished , and left the possession to Ao Odiarne , a Family anciently of good Note . After whom I cannot ( because the private Evidences are embezel'd ) discover what Families were successively planted in the possession . Only I find it about the latter end of Henry the eighth , in the possession of Mayney of Biddenden , in whom the Interest continued , untill some few years since it was alienated by Sir John Mayney of Linton Knight and Baronet , to Peter Ricaut Esquire , who hath lately alienated his right in it to Mr. Menell of London .

Ebeney was given to the Monks of Christchurch in Canterbury , by K. Athulfus , at the particular entreaty and instigation of Ceolnoth the Arch-bishop , in the year 832 , to the Reparation of their Cloister and Cathedral . The words registred in the Latine Record are these , Anno Domini 832 , Rex Athulfus instinctu Ceolnothi Archiepiscopi dedit Ebeneyam ad opus Monachorum , Libere sicut Adisham . But when the Impieties of the Monks , who had cloistered up Religion it self in a Lazy Cell , grew so clamorous , that they called for Vengeance upon their Seminaties , that Storm arose in the reign of Henry the eighth , which by the Dissolution of their Covents , expiated their Irregularities ; this Mannor was surrendered to the Crown , and the abovesaid Prince , in the thirty second year of his Government , granted it to Sir Walter Henley Serjeant at Law , who dying without Issue-male , his three Daughters , namely Elizabeth married to William Waller Esquire , Hellen first wedded to Thomas Colepeper of Bedgebury Esquire ; secondly to Sir George Somerset ; and thirdly to Thomas Vane of Burston Esquire ; and Anne matched to Richard Covert of Slaugham , as his Coheirs entered upon his Inheritance , and then this place upon the Division of his estate , increased the Demeasn of Richard Covert Esquire , from whom by the Devolution of a descendant right , the title is now lodged in his Successor Mr ...... Covert .

Woodrove in Ebeney , acknowledged in elder Ages a Family for proprietaries , known by the Name of Mocking , who had a revenue likewise about Milton , Stockbury , Hartlip and Shepey , of no despicable Bulk . John Mocking Son of William Mocking flourished under the Scepter of Edward the first , Edward the second , and held this Mannor at his Decease , which was in the eleventh year of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 75. And in this Family did the possession fix , untill the reign of Henry the fourth , and then it began to ebbe away from this Name , and flow by the conveyance of Sale into Guldford : and in a very old Schedule which enumerates the Mannors , which related to John Guldford , who lived under the Government of Henry the fourth and Henry the fifth , this is registred in the Catalogue ; and from him did it come down to Sir Edward Guldford , whose Daughter and Heir Joan , brought it to be the patrimony of John Dudley Duke of Northumberland , and he gave this Mannor with no small demeasn at Halden , in Dower with Mary his Daughter , matched to Sir Hen. Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland , and Knight of the Garter , a person of that Value and Eminence , that he that would discover him represented in his best Features and proportion must view him in his Worthy and Signal undertakings in Ireland , where he will find him better pourtraid , than he can be by any faint or drowsie Attributes , that drop from my humble and unequal pen ; and from him did this Mannor in right of this Alliance , descend to his Grandchild the right honorable Robert Earl of Leicester , who not many years since passed it away to Sir Edward Hendon , one of the Barons of the Exchequer , who upon his Decease gave it to his Nephew Sir John Hondon of Biddenden , and he not long since alienated it to Mr. John Austin of Tenterden ; from whom it is lately devolved by Death , to be now the possession of his second Brother Mr. Rob. Austin of Hall-place in Bexley .

Brocket is another Mannor in Ebeney which had possessors as appears by ancient Deeds of that Name , who likewise were written in Evidences Brocket ; but whether the Brockets of Brocket-hall in the County of Hartford , were descended from these , or these from them , I cannot discover : But the greatest honor which this obscure Mannor hath acquired , is , that ever since the reign of Henry the fourth , untill the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth , it acknowledged the noble Family of Guldford ; and then it changed its proprietaries : for that year it was by John Guldford Esquire , conveyed to Sir John Hales Baton of the Exchequer , from whom it is now come down to own the proprietary of his Descendant , Sir Edward Hales of Tunstall Baronet .

The Island of Shepey , comes next to be treated of : It called by Ptolomie Toliatis , in Latin Insula Ovium , in Saxon Sceapige , all agreeing in their Verdict , that it was so named from its plenty of Sheep . It is environed with the mixed Waters of the Thames , and Medway on the West , the Swale or Genlade on the South , and the Main Ocean beats on the East and North ; more celebrated for the fertility of the Soil , then Salurbity of Air which is grosse and thick , causing Aguish Infirmities , that keep long Residence , they get possession ,

Quinborough , or rather originally Kingsborough , as Konisbergh in Prussia , is now corruptly called Quensborough , acknowledged King Edward the third for the Founder , who ( having wedded Philippa Daughter of William Earl of Henault and Holland , and his occasions often calling him to passe into her Fathers Dominion , whose Aid and Assistance he required in the great enterprise , for the Recovery of his undoubted right to the Diadem of France ) heerected this strong and stately Fottresse for defence of the mouth of the Thames , and his own secure Accomodation . And because the Situation of this place was unhealthy , he ( to allure Inhabitants ) in the year 1366 , enobled the Town with a Charter of Incorporation , wherein he indulges by Grant ample priviledges and Immunities unto it , as namely to hold two Mercates weekly , one on the Munday and the other on the Thursday ; and two Fairs yearly , one at the Feast of St. James , the other on the twenty fourth of March , and to make Choice of Burgesses to send to Parliament . The principal Architect and Surveyout of the work , was William Wickham , after Bishop of Winchester , who had been formerly employed in that kind , at the reedifying Windsor-castle , when his good patron John de Vuedal , was Constable there . This man used to inscribe on the edifices thus erected , this Inscription , This made Wickham , whereby some conceived , he arrogated to himself the Cost and payment of the Structure , and informed the King thereof : but his ingenious exposition satisfied that Prince , when he shewed him that by his Inspection and Insight into those matters , he had obtained both his Ecclesiastical and secular promotions , being made Bishop of Winchester , first Keeper of the privy Seal , and then of the King's Conscience , his last Gradation or Ascent being to be Lord Chancellor of England . When King Edward had perfected this Castle , he instituted a Chief Governour , who was for the future , to carry the Title of Constable , like as at Dover-castle , and elsewhere . The Catalogue of those who succeeded in that Command , I have set down . The care and cost of King Henry the eighth , in the year 1536 to repair this place , when he erected Fortresses for Defence of the Sea Coast , drew this Eulogie from the Pen of Leland , Castrum Regius editum recepit Burgus , Fulmina dira , & Insulanos Tutos servat , ab omni , vel omni .

Constables of Quinborough Castle .

JOhn Foxly a valiant Souldier and faithful Servant to King Edward the third , was the first Constable of Quinborough Castle , which Office he received the thirty sixth of Edward the third .

50. Edw. 3. John of Gaunt 8. Rich. 2. Robert de Vere . 16. Rich. 2. Arnold Savage of Bobbing Court. 20. Rich. 2. William Scroop 1. Hen. 4. Sir Hugh Waterton 4. Hen. 4. Sir Jo. Cornwallis , Lord Fanhope , Knight of the Garter . 10. Hen. 4. Thomas Arundel Arch-bishop of Canterbury . 1. Hen. 5. Gilbert Vmfreville 28. Hen. 6. Humfrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham . 1. Edw. 4. John Northwood Esquire . ... Edw. 4. George Duke of Clarence . 1. Rich. 3. Thomas Wentworth 2. Rich. 3. Christopher Collins 1. Hen. 7. William Cheyney 2. Hen. 8. Sir Francis Cheyney 3. Hen. 8. Sir Tho. Cheyney of Shurland Knight of the Garter . 1. Reginae Elizab. Sir Robert Constable Sir Edward Hobbie Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery , Baron of Shurland , and Knight of the Garter .

Minster is the next place of Account in this Island , and is contracted from the Latin Word Monasterium , from whence this Town hath its Appellation , and may challenge the third place amongst our English Nunneries . For Sexburga Daughter to Ercombert King of Kent ( to whom and the Virgin Mary , the Church of this Parish is devoted and dedicated ) in the year 664 , erected a Religious House at this place , and liberally endowed it , for the Sustentation of vayled Virgins . The second was founded by Eanswith Daughter of Eadbald King of Kent , at Folkston . And the first had its Institution at Liminge , likewise in this County , by Eadburga , and erected to the Honor of the Virgin Mary and St. Mildred . But the Antiquity of this Cell , and the Sanctity attributed to it by elder times , could not so skreen or rescue it from the Heat of War , but it was thrice sacked and dismantled by the barbarous irruptions of the Danes , within lesse then an Age , which by usual Account is said to be thirty year . The first misfortune happened to it in the year 832 , when thirty five Sail of them rived here and rifled it . The second and third time , was in the year 851 and then again in the year 855 , by the Armies of them who wintered their Ships within this Island . Besides these depredations the complices of Earl Godwin , and his Sons , in the Time of their proscription and exile , which was in the year 1052 , landed in this Island , and miserably harrassed it , by filling all places with Ruine and Devastation . Indeed Religion when it glitters with a splendid and full revenue , is like the Pictures of the ancient Saints , apparelled in rich Garments , which some have been enticed to rob , not out of ill Will to their Sanctity , but love to their Shrines , and Beauty of their Cloaths ; Persecution and the Robes of Humility were the Attire of the primitive Church , and when she is dressed up in gaudy Fortunes , it is no more then she merits : Yet sometimes it occasions the Devil , to cheat her of her Holinesse ; and impious men by an unjust and injurious Sacriledge , to cheat her of her riches . But I have digressed : I now return into the Track of my Discourse , and must inform my Reader , that although the Glory of this Cloister , was so bowed down and broken with these misfortunes , that it appeared almost sunk in its own Calamities : yet by the piety of subsequent Ages , it was buoyed up again : but more especially by the indulgent Charity of King Henry the fourth , who in the first year of his reign confirmed their old priviledges , and to those added by patent many new . And in this Condition it continued untill the general Dissolution or Deluge , and then it was by Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his reign granted to Sir Thomas Cheyney : and his Son Henry Lord Cheyney , having in the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , exchanged it for other Lands with that Princesse ; she regranted it to Sir Edward Hobby , who had matched with her Kinswoman Margaret , Daughter of Henry Lord Hunsdon , and his Son Sir Edward Hobby , about the middle of King James passed it away to Mr. Hen. Richards , and he upon his Decease bequeathed it to Gabriel Livesey Esquire ; and he , almost in our Remembrance , conveyed it to Sir John Heyward , who setled it upon his two Feoffees in Trust , Sir Francis Buller of Cornwall , and Serjeant Clerk of Rochester , for such Charitable Uses , as they should think proportionate to that Conveyance ,

The Mannor of Northwood , is situated in this Parish , which was the Inheritance of Jordanus de Scapeia , for so he is written in old datelesse Deeds , and he had Issue Stephen de Northwood , who was the first whom I find in Record , to have assumed this Appellation , and he was Father to Sir Roger de Northwood , who lies buryed in Minster Church , with an Inscription affixed to his Monument , which seems by its more modern Character , to have been corrupted ; It is this : Hic jacet Rogerus Northwood , Miles , sepultus ante Conquestum . Indeed his Figure is fairly insculped in Brasse , with that of his Lady Bona lying by him , who was Sister and Heir of William de Wauton . The vulgar upon a credulous errour every where affirm , that all those who are thus buryed , were enterr'd after the Conquest ; when it is certain that many were entombed in this posture , many years before the Conquerour , that had obliged themselves by Vow , to defend the Crosse and Sepulcher of our Saviour , against the Fury and Assaults of Infidels . Sure I am , the Tomb next to this appears to be far more ancient , and of so venerable a Form , that its like doth not occurre in any other place ; there is not any Letter of Inscription left , only the Coat is a sure Testimony , that it was one of the Ancestors of the Family of Northwood . But to proceed : John Norwood one of this House , as the private Records of the Family testifie , feasted H. the fifth , at the Red Lion in Sedingbourne , and the Wine amounted upon the wole account but to 9. s. and 9. d. Wine being then rated but at a penny the pint . W. Northwood another of this Name , and Family , did signal Service at the Battel of Agincourt , and afterwards at the Battel of Vernoile , which was managed by John Duke of Bedford , Regent of France . He was Kinsman of John Northwood , who was the last of this Name at this place ; for he about the latter end of Edward the fourth , alienated it to William Warner Esquire ; whose Son and Heir William Warner , about the Beginning of Henry the eighth , demised it to Sir Thomas Cheyney , and his Son Sir Henry Lord Cheyney , having exchanged it for other Lands with Queen Elizabeth , it remained with the Crown , untill King James in the second year of his reign , granted it to the right honorable Philip Herbert Earl of Montgomery , and afterwards Earl of Pembroke .

Newhall is another little Mannor in Minster , which Fulke Peyforer dyed seised of , in the ninth year of Edward the second ; and from him it devolved by descent to be the patrimony of his great Grandchild Fulk Peyforer , and his Sole Heir Julian carried it away to Thomas St. Leger of Ottringden , whose two Female Coheirs being matched to Aucher and Ewias , shared his Inheritance , and about the reign of Henry the fifth , passed it away by Sale to Cromer , whose Successor William Cromer , having about the latter end of Henry the eighth , by some misdemeanor , forfeited it to the Crown , it was granted to one Stephen Graine , in which Family it remained untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , and then it was alienated to Small ; from which Name , the same Vicissitude not many years since carried it off to Luck ; who transmitted his Right in it to Mr. Henry Newton , who hath lately demised it to Mr. Josias Gering of London .

Rishingdon is the last place of Account , which is circumscribed within the Limits of Minster . It was in the twenty third year of Edward the first , wrapped up in the patrimony of Savage : for at that time John de Savage obtained a Charter of Freewarrren , to several of his Mannors in Kont , in the Number of which this is registered for one ; but in the reign of Edward the third , the possession was departed from this Family , being purchased by Philippa Wife and Queen to Edward the third , and setled upon the Hospital of St. Katharines neere the Tower , in whose demeasn it hath layn involved ever since . In the fourteenth year of the reign of Richard the second , John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster , the King's Uncle , was Lessee to that Hospital , as appears Rot. Esc . Num. 113. Which I mention to discover to the Reader , that even in those Times , Persons of the greatest eminence did not disdain to be Tenants for an Estate to an Hospital .

East-Church is the next place which comes to be considered : Which though obscure in it self , yet is made eminent by Shurland , which is a Limb of this Parish , and anciently did own a noble Family which bore that Sirname ; the last of which was Sir Robert de Shurland , who was one of those Kentish Bannerets , which were made by King Edward the first , at the Siege of Carlaverock , in the twenty eighth year of his reign , and to whom the former Prince , as a farther Symbol or Testimony of his Merit , granted a Charter of Free-warren in the twenty ninth year of his reign , to his Mannor of Shurland : not long after which he deceased , and lies entombed under an Arch in the Southwall , with his pourtraicture insculped in a Marble , in Minster Church , whose Tomb is become the Scene of much Falshood and popular errour ; the vulgar having digged out of his Vault , many wild Legends and Romances , as namely that he buryed a Priest alive , that he swam on his horse two miles thorough the Sea , to the King , who was then neer this Island on Shipboard , to purchase his pardon ; and having obtained it , swam back to the Shore : where being arrived , he cut off the head of his said Horse , because it was affirmed , he had acted this by Magick : and that riding on hunting a twelvemoneth after , his horse stumbled and threw him on the Scull of his former Horse , which blow so bruised him , that from that Contusion he contracted an inward impostumation , of which he dyed ; and in memory of which , an Horse Head is placed at his Feet ; which fictitious Story , is rent into the disunion of so many absurd circumstances , that I shall represent to the Reader , the Foundation on which this fabulous Natrative was formerly established , which is no more but this . Sir Robert de Shurland above-mentioned , being Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , and a man of eminent Authority under Edward the first , obtained Grant of priviledge by Charter , to have wrack of Sea upon his Lands confining on the Sea Shore , neere Shurland : now the extent of this Royaltie is evermore esteemed to reach as far into the Water , upon a low ebb , as a man can ride in , and touch any thing with the point of his Launce , and so you have the explication of this marvel ; and the couching either of whole Creatures , or part of them , at the Feet of worthy personages , is most frequent both now and in elder Times , that these inanimate Representations might be the Symbols or Hieroglyphicks , to intimate to posterity those Virtues which were resident in them when alive . But to proceed : the abovementioned Sir Robert de Shurland , having improved his Reputation with many noble and worthy Actions , left That only to perpetuate his Name to posterity , having no Issue-male to continue it : for he left only one Daughter and Heir , matched to W. de Cheyney of Patricksbourn Cheyney , who was son and heir to Sir Alexander de Cheyney , who is in the Inventory or List of those Knights Bannerets , who were ennobled with that Dignity , by E. the first , at the Siege of Carlaverock , in the twenty eighth year of his reign , and in Right of this Match , dyed possest of it , in the eighth year of E. the third , Rot. Esc . Num. 58. And from him did it come down to his great Grandchild , Sir John Cheyney who was Knight of the Garter , and frequently Knight of this Shire , in sundry Parliaments , under the Government of Henry the fourth , in the first year of whose reign , as our Chronicles inform us , he was sent Embassador to several forreign Princes , to represent to them the Reasons or Motives which induced him to assume the English Diadem , and in the first and second year of that Prince , he was chosen Speaker of Parliament . Sir William Cheyney another of this Family of Shurland , was first a Judge , and secondly Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench , in the reign of Henry the fifth : but the greatest Honour this Mannor atchieved , was when it came to be possest by Sir Thomas Cheyney who was Knight of the Garter , Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , Constable of Quinborough Castle , and one of the Privy Councel to Henry the eighth , and he had Issue Sir Henry Cheyney , created Henry Lord Cheyney of Tuddington by Queen Elizabeth , who having exchanged this Mannor of Shurland with that Princesse , it remained with the patrimony of the Crown , untill the second year of King James ; and then it was by royal Concession from that Prince , made the Inheritance of Philip Earl of Montgomery , and after of Pembroke , upon whose late decease it is now come to confesse the Signory of his second Son Mr. James Herbert .

Kingsborough is another Mannor in this Parish , whose Name tacitly intimates to us , that it was involved formerly in the Revenue of the Crown , and was the place which the Inhabitants frequented , not only for the holding of a Court , for the choice and election of the Constables of the Island : but likewise here assembled to nominate and appoint those Wardens or Bailiffs , that were to take Cognisance or Charge of the passage called King ferry ; which divides the Island , and the main Land of me County ; this Mannor after it had for many Generations layn folded up in the royal Demeasne , was by Queen Elizabeth , granted to Mr. Henry Cary ; who about the Beginning of K. James , passed it away to Swaleman , whose Descendant is still entituled to the propriety of it .

Leisdon next offers it selfe up to our view , which was parcel of that estate which acknowledged the noble and ancient Family of Grey or Rotherfield in Sussex for its ancient Owners , The first which made this Family eminent was John de Grey , who was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron , in the reign of Edward the third , and dyed possest of this Mannor in the thirty third year of that Prince , Rot. Esc . Num. 38. And so did Robert Grey his Successor , in the second year of Henry the fourth . After his Exit , I do not find it long constant to the Signory of this Name : for about the Beginning of Henry the sixth it was alienated to Lovell ; and by virtue of this purchase , Sir William Lovell held it at his Death , which was in the twenty third year of Henry the sixth . After this Family had abandoned the possession , the Cheyneys of Shurland were by purchase planted in the Inheritance , and remained setled in the Fee-simple of it , untill Sir Henry Lord Cheyney , exchanged it with Queen Elizabeth .

Nuts called so vulgarly , but in the ancient Court-rolls named Notts , as being the Inheritance of a Family called Nott , is a little Mannor in Leisdon , which after it had for many descents acknowledged no other proprietaries , but this Family , about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , was rent from them by purchase , and transplanted into Bartholomew , a Family which were Owners anciently of much Land about Lingsted , Throuley , and other places in that Track , and continued Masters of this Lordship , untill the reign of Henry the eighth ; and then it was conveyed to Sir Thomas Cheyney ; whose Son Sir Henry Cheyney about the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth , passed it away to Sampson , a Family which had been possessors of Sampson-court , not far distant many hundred years ; and were descended from William Sampson , who was frequently summoned to sit in Parliament as Baron in the reign of Edward the first . From Sampson it was again in our Fathers Memory carried off to O●borne , in the Descendants of which Family the right is still fixed .

Werdon is the last place of Account in this Island ; It was in times of an elder Inscription involved in the Inheritance of Savage of Bobbing , and in the twenty third year of Edward the first , Sir John de Savage obtained a Charter of Free-warren to his Mannor of Werdon : But before the middle of Edward the third , this Family had surrendered their Interest here to Fremingham ; for John de Fremingham dyed seised of it , in the twenty third year of Edward the third : but whether it devolved with other Land by the Heir general of Fremingham to Isley or not , is incertain , because those privtae evidences which relate to this Mannor , extend no higher then the reign of Edward the fourth ; and then I find the propriety of it in Norton , in which Family after the possession had resided untill our times , it was conveyed to Edmund Tooke of Dartford Esq ; Barrister at Law , now proprietary of it .

Thanet lies , if not all , yet most part of it , circumscribed within the Hundred of Ringleslow : It is styled in Greek by ancient Authors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in Latine Thanetum , and in the Saxon it is curtailed into Thanet , which an old Manuscript which I have seen , deduces from two Saxon Words Thane and Yete , which in that Language then implyed as much as the Lords-Entrance : but for my particular , I believe that the Saxons , when upon the Donation of it to them by Vortiger , they first entered into this Island , finding that Thanetum was a Latine Name imposed upon it by the Romans , who had but newly then deserted the Protection of this Island , new-softned the Name by contracting it , and then quilted it into the Alphabet of their own Language , and called it Thanett ; and that this is probable , I shall evince from circumstances , Punio in Latine signifies to punish , from whence the Saxons styled that place by Maidstone , where they punished Malefactors Pinandun Hoath : So Castrum was a Name used by the Romans to signifie or expresse any Castle or Fortresse , which the Saxons upon their admission into this Island , finding it to be imposed upon all places of strength and importance , adopted it into their Dialect , and from the word Castrum extracted the word Ceaster . I could instance in many other particulars , but that I should both weary my Reader , and clog this Discourse with Superfluities : I shall therefore from the untwisting the Name , descend to the Description of the Island .

Serre , now vulgarly called Sarre , is the first place of Note which offers it self up to a view : It was anciently a Parish , untill peradventure the unhealthinesse of the Soile ; for it now confines upon Marishes ( where formerly glided that Gullet of Sea-water , now wholly stifled with Sand ) which made Thanett an Island , as may plainly appear by an ancient Mapp , printed by the original , and now extant in the Book called Monasticum Anglicanum ) or else from the insalubrity of the Air , which being polluted with those black and foggie vapours which ascend from a loose and soggie earth , very frequently leave a venomous Tincture upon the Blood and Spirits of those Inhabitants , who are subject to the impression of such pernicious exhalations , forced those who dwelt in Serre , to abandon so sickly a Habitation ; and so the Parish by degrees , began to languish away into that Solitude , we see it is shrunk into at present . The Church was dedicated to St. Giles , but at present lies entombed in such forgotten Ruines , that scarce the least Remains are visible . The Mannor it self was one of the ancient Seats of the noble Family of Crioll . Bertram de Crioll augments the Register of those Kentish Gentlemen , who were with Richard the first at the Siege of Acon in Palestine . Bartholomew de Crioll another of this Name and Family , was Lieutenant of Dover-castle under the abovesaid Prince . Simon de Crioll was with Edward the first , at his prosperous Siege of Carlaverock , and for his generous Assistance there , received the Order of Knighthood , and from him it came down to Sir William Crioll , Father to Sir John Crioll who held it in the Beginning of Henry the sixth , as appears Pat. 9. Hen. 6. Par. prim . Memb. 19. And from him was it transmitted to his Son Sir Thomas Keriell , Knight of the Garter , a Man of that worth and eminence , in that time he lived in , that I might seem something to obscure his Glory , if I should not represent to the Reader , some of those honorable Atchievements , which he performed in France , the Relation of which I have omitted in my Description of Stockbury and Walmer . In the ninth year of Henry the sixth , he being Governour of Gourney in Normandy , issuedout of that place , and harassed not only that Province , but fought with the Earl of Bretaigne , who was sent to oppose his Eruptions , and after a sharp Combat gave him a remarkable discomfiture , killing about six hundred , and captivating two hundred Soldiers . In the fifteenth of Henry the sixth , he seised upon the Duke of Burgundie's Carriages and Cannons leaving Cretoy ( a Fortresse then in possession of the English , and not long before distressed by the abovesaid Duke ) furnished with victual for six hundred men , for the space of a twelvemonth . And lastly in the twenty seventh year of Henry the sixth , he was sent over into France , with a supply of 1500 men to recruit the English Army , where he did as much with so small a quantity of men , as could be expected from humane Courage , and having reduced some pieces of strength , he encountered the Earl of Clermont at a place called Formigney , where being overlaid with Multitude , after he had given most signal Testimony of his valour , and discharged all those duties which might have secured and preserved the Honor of the English Nation , and the Glory of the day , by which he declared himself to be not only a prudent Man , but an expert Commander , he was defeated : But to proceed , after the Family of Crioll went out from the possession of this place , which was before the latter end of Henry the sixth , John White Esquire , became Lord of the Fee , and held it at his Death , which was in the ninth year of Edward the fourth : but after his Decease it was not long resident in this Name : for in the reign of Henry the seventh , and Henry the eighth , I find it the Inheritance of Bere , and was fixed in this Family , untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was passed away by Sale to Rush , ancestor to Sir Francis Rush , who not many years since concluding in two Daughters and Coheirs , one of them by matching with Sir George Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse in York-shire , third Brother to Sir Thomas Wentworth , late Earl of Stafford , hath made it his instant patrimony .

Downebarton is the next place which occurs , and challenges our Survey . There was a Family Sirnamed Exeter , that had large possessions at or neer this place , and were planted in the Tenure of them many Centuries of years : In the fourth year of Henry the sixth , Margaret Widow of John Exeter , held Lands at Downebarton in Right of Dower , as appears by an Inquisition taken after her death , which commences from that time . But the principal Honor this place anciently recieved , was , that it was a Mannor which fell under the Signory of the Arch-bishops of Canterbury , as is manifest by an Inquisition taken in the twenty first of Richard the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 7. Which represents to posterity what Lands and Mannors Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury held at that time ; nor did it depart from the revenue of this Sea , until the 29. year of Henry the eighth ; and then being exchanged with the Crown by Tho. Cranmer Arch-bishop of Canterbury , it was granted away to Henry Crispe Esquire ; in which Family it was fixed untill those times which were circumscribed within the Verge of our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was conveyed to Paramour , from which Name not many years since , the vicissitude of purchase carried it away , and hath now made it part of the demeasn of Daniel Harvey of Combe-nevill , in Kingston upon Thames Esquire .

Quekes in Birchington was the ancient Seat of an ancient Family which bore that Sirname , and after it had for many descents acknowledged it self to have related to that Name , it devolved by paternal descent to John Quekes , who about the Beginning of H. the seventh , expired in a Daughter and Heir who was matched to .... Crispe , extracted from the Crispes of Oxfordshire , who had flourished there many Generations before , ( as appears by an old pedigree now in the hands of Sir Nicholas Crispe of London ) under the Notion of Gentlemen of the best Rank ; nor did this Family wither by being thus transplanted , and inoculated upon a forraign Stem , but rather did gather new Sap and Verdure , which made it so exceedingly sprout forth , that Henry Crispe Esquire , who was Sheriff of Kent in the thirty eighth of Henry the eighth , and was afterwards honoured with Knighthood , did shoot up to that power , and grew so tall in Title , that he was in the dialect of those Times called Regulus Insulae , or the Governour of the Isle of Thannet ; and from this worthy person , is Henry Crispe Esquire , Heir to Sir Henry Crispe not long since deceased , and now proprietary of Quekes , originally descended .

West-gate in Birchington was wrapped up in that vast demeasn which was entituled to the possession of the noble and powerful Family of Leybourn of Leybourn-castle . Will . de Leybourn Son of Roger de Leybourn , held it at his Death , which was in the third year of Ed. the second , Rot. Esc . Num. 56. And left it to Roger de Leybourn , from whom with the rest of his diffused patrimony in this County , it came to his only Daughter and Heir Juliana de Leybourn , first matched to Iohn de Hastings , Brother or Kinsman to Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke , and then to William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon , but survived them both , and dying without Issue in the forty third year of Edward the third , she made God her Heir to this Mannor , and gave it to the Abby of St. Augustins , and in the patrimony of that Cloister did the Title of this Mannor lie locked up , untill the general Dissolution in the reign of Henry the eighth , unloosened it , and then linked it again by a new Augmentation to the demeasn of the Crown ; and then the abovesaid Prince , in the thirty fifth year of his reign , granted it to Sir Tho. Moile , who not long after passed it away to Bere , a Family of good account in this Island , as being descended from Richard de Bere , who was one of the Recognitores magnae Assisae for Kent , in the second year of King John , as appears by the Pipe-roll of that time ; and from this Name about the latter end of Q. Elizabeth , did it by purchase come over to Denne of Denne-hill in Kingston , whose Successor Mr. Thomas Denne of Denne-hill , Reader formerly of the Middle-Temple , and Recorder of Canterbury , dying lately without Issue-male , his four Daughters ( Thomazin married to Sir Nicholas Crispe , Bridget matched to Sir Iohn Darrell of Calehill , Dorothy wedded to Mr. Roger Lucan , and Mary espoused to Vincent Denne Esquire ) became his Coheirs , and and this upon the division of his Estate , augmented the patrimony of Sir Nicholas Crispe .

Dandelion in the Parish of St. Johns , was the Seat of a Family in elder times called Dent de lyon , as appears by divers ancient Deeds , some without dare , some as high as Edward the first : but about the Government of Henry the fourth , the Name was melted down , and made more soft and easie , and transplanted into Dandelion , as appears by several Deeds of one John Dandelion , which commence from that Kings reign , and the reign of Henry the fifth , and he had Issue John Dandelion , who about the Beginning of Edward the fourth , determined in a Daughter and Heir , matched to Petit of Shalmesford neer Chartham , and lies buryed under a fair Marble in St. Johns , with a plate of Brasse ( if the Barbarity of these times , have not ravished it away ) affixed to it , designing the time of his death , and by a Right fortified and made firme , from this Alliance , does this ancient Seat now acknowledge the Signory of Mr. Henry Petit.

Nash-court in the Parish abovesaid , was anciently the possession of the Garwintons , of whom I have spoken at Bekesbourn , where was their capital Mansion , and went along with the Interest of this Family , untill William Garwinton the last of this Name dying without Issue , in the eleventh year of Henry the fourth , bequeathed this and much other Land to Richard Haut , who had married Joan his nearest Kinswoman and Heir general of the Family ; and he left it to his Son Richard Haut , who left only one Daughter called Margery , who was his Heir , and she by marching with William Isaack made it parcel of his Inheritance ; and in memory of this Alliance , the Windows of this Mansion , are in several Pannels of Glasse adorned with the Arms of Haut and Isaack , and near them are placed the Armes of William Warham Arch-bishop of Canterbury , empaled with those of his Sea ; for of him , and his Predecessors did this Mansion hold . After Isaack was gone out , which was about the latter end of Henry the eighth , the Lincolnes by purchase became Lords of the Fee , and held it untill the midst of the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; and then it was passed away for some Courtesies obtained by the Heir of this Family , to Sir Roger Manwood Chief Baron of the Exchequer ; and his Son Sir Peter Manwood alienated it in our Fathers Memory to Cleybrook , from whom it descended to his Son Mr. William Cleybrook , who upon his decease left it to his Widow Mrs. Sarah Cleybrooks remarried to Mr. George Somner slain at Wye-bridge , in the year 1648 , and now lastly to Mr. James Newman , and after her decease the Reversion to his Kinsman Mr. Alexander Northwood and his Heirs .

Dene and Hengrove are two Mannots circumscribed likewise within the precincts of St. Johns , and were involved in the spreading Demeasn of the powerful Family of Leybourn , as appears by a solemn Inquisition taken after the decease of William de Leybourn , who dyed possest of them in the third year of Edward the second ; and from whom they came to his Grandchild , Juliana Sole Heir of Roger de Leybourn , who having no Issue , in the forty third year of Edward the third , either by John de Hastings , or William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon , constiuted the Abby of St. Augustins , her heir to both these places ( a more certain Inheritor then any loose Unthrift in the devout estimate of those Times ) with this Clause annexed , that the Brotherhood of that Covent , should pray for the Souls of John de Hastings , Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke , John de Hastings his Son , and lastly for that of William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon ; Which grant of hers was confirmed ( as appears by Thorne the Chronicler of St. Augustins lately printed ) by Edward the third , in the year 1363 , and it is probable that those two Chappels , which the fabulous Tradition of the Island is , were erected at the two abovesaid places , by two Virgins , were built by the beforementioned Juliana , for two Chauntry Priests , to celebrate Masse for the Souls of her two deceased Husbands . But to proceed , upon the Suppression of the Abby of St. Augustins , by Henry the eighth , these two Mannors being united to the demeasn of the Crown , the Fee-simple was lodged in the Royal patrimony , untill King James in the Beginning of his reign , granted them to Mr. William Salter , who demised them to Mr. Manasser Norwood , whose Grandchild Mr. Alexander Norwood , for ought I know , is yet the proprietary of them .

Salmeston is the last place of account in St. Johns , and did belong , as appears by a Quo Warranto , cited at large in the late printed Chronicle of Thorne , to the Abby of St. Augustins , in the year 1362 , and remained treasured up in the Demeasn of that Covent , untill its final Suppression in the reign of Henry the eighth , and then being rent away from the Church , it was by a new settlement enstated again upon the Church , being granted by the abovesaid Prince , in the twenty ninth of his Rule , unto Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury , and is at present held in Lease for Life , by the Lady Mary St. Leger , Widow of Sir Warham St. Leger , who had it in Exchange when he passed away the Mannors of Bersted and Leeds Castle , to Sir Thomas Colepeper of Hollingbourne .

Fleet is a place of Account which is situated partly in the Parish of St. Johns , and partly in St. Peters , and was the Inheritance , in Ages of a very high Extraction , of a Family who were written in Latine-Records de Fleta , and were planted here , as appears by their datelesse Deeds , about the reign either of King John , or Henry the third . And when in times of a more modern Inscription , they began to seal with Coats of Armes , appendant to private Muniments and Evidences ; I find the parernal Coat of this Family , to have been Checqueè ....... upon a Canton a Lion Rampant ....... which still lies registred in all old Ordinaries and Alphabets of Arms , and other ancient Rolls and Records of the Kentish Gentry : but as all Families have their Ebbings and Vicissitudes , so had this . For in our Fathers Memory , one of this Family expired in a Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Philipott ; and in our Memory another of this Name concluded in two Females , married to Smith and Pomflet , and so the ancient patrimony of Fleet , being thus crumbled into parcels , is now divided between these three Families .

Dane-court is another Seat of good Antiquity , and is placed likewise in Sr. Peters ; It afforded both Seat and Sirname to a Family called Dane , who bore for their Coat Armour Gules four Flower de Lis , Or. But the Custome of Gavelkind having split this Family into two branches , and consequently rent the estate into two parcels , one of these branches withered away , before the end of Henry the fourth , and went out in a Daughter and Heir called Margaret married to John Exeter , and she by paternal right held some Lands here at Dane-court , at her decease , which was in the fourth year of Henry the sixth . But the other branch of this Family flourished something longer ; for about the latter end of Henry the sixth , John Dane the last of this Family at this place , determined in a sole Daughter and Heir , who was matched to Denne of Den-hill , who had in her right Dane-court : but possest not long his new Acquists , for about the latter end of Edward the fourth , I find it the Norwoods ; from whom in the Chanel of successive Interest the Title flowed down to Mr. Alexander Northwood , who hath lately alienated all his Concernment in it to Mr ...... Smith .

Ellington is an ancient Seat in the Parish of St. Lawrence , which was the Residence many Ages since , of a Family called Ellington , some of which lay buried under very ancient Gravestones , in this Church of St. Lawrence , with Inscriptions too upon them , as Mr. Sprackling not long since deceased informed me : but the Injuries of time and barbarous Hands , have now so violated those Remembrances , that even the memory of this Family , were it not for private Evidences which still preserve Life in it , would have found a Tomb in Oblivion , as well as their Ashes : But to proceed : After this Family had been fixed here for many Descents , about the latter end of Edward the fourth , it vanished away from this place , being succeeded in the possession by Thatcher , a Family of an high Antiquity , as to the Name , both here in Thanett , and at Canterbury . For in the Crown-Office , I discover , as the Record is cited by Mr. Somner in his Survey of that City , Pag. 77. that a dysastrous Accident brought an untimely Fate to one of this Name ; for Simon the Son of Adam de Colynham , and Henry the Son of Henry Thetcher , in the seventeenth year of K. Edward , Son of Edward the King that is ( Edward the second , Son of Edward the first ) were sitting in a place beneath the Ground , at Monksdane neer Canterbury , and were preparing of Lime-stones , quos per infortunium Terra supercidit , it a quòd corpora eorum conquassabantur , unde moriebantur incontinenter , says the Latine-roll : That is , the earth sunk in upon them , and crushed them into the disorders of an early Sepulcher . But to return : After this Seat had rested in this Name , untill the Beginning of Queen Elizabeth ; it was passed away to Spracklin and remains part of the Demeasn of Mr. ..... Spracklin , Fellow of Peterhouse in Cambridge at this instant .

Manston is another ancient Seat in St. Laurence , which was the Inheritance of Manston for many Generations . Richard de Manston , as I find by the Bundles of incertain years , kept in the Pipe-Office , was one of the Recognitoros magnae Assisae in the Time of King John : from whence we may conjecture , that even in those times of so high an Ascent , this Family was under no narrow or contemptible Character or Repute . In latter times , that is , in the fourteenth year of Henry the sixth , I find William Manston was Sheriff of Kent , and held his Shrievalty at this place : and he had Issue Nicholas Manston , who matched with Eleanor , only Daughter of Edmund Haut Esq ; and had Issue Julian his Sole Heir , who was matched to Thomas St. Nicholas of Thorn in the Parish of Minster in Thanett , which Seat accrued to his Grandfather , by the Heir of Sir John Goshall . This Thomas St. Nicholas , dyed in the year 1474 , and by his last Will recorded in the Prerogative at Canterbury , he disposes his Body to be buryed before the Image of St. Nicholas , in the Chancel of Thorn at Minster , and Roger St. Nicholas was his Son and Heir , who determined in a Daughter and Heir called Elizabeth , matched to John Dynley of Worcestershire . Whose Successor about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth , conveyed his Right in Manston , Powcies , ( which likewise was annexed to the revenue of St. Nicholas by the Heir of Goshall ) and Thorne in Minster , to Sir John Roper afterwards created Baron of Tenham , by King James , whose great Grandchild the Lord Christopher Roper , does still enjoy Manston and Thorne , but Powcies is lately passed away by Sale to Edward Monins of Waldershare Baronet .

Vpper-court is a third place in St. Laurence , which may exact our Notice , because it augmented the demeasn for many Generations , of the illustrious Family of Crioll , of whom I have spoken before in Sarre , and remained parcel of their Inheritance , until the latter end of Henry the sixth ; and then it was passed away by Sir Thomas Crioll , to John White Esquire , and he dyed possest of it in the ninth year of Edward the fourth : but before the latter end of Henry the seventh , the possession of this place had deserted this Name , and was cast by Sale into the Revenue of Bere , and was constant to their Signory , untill almost the times which bordered upon our Fathers Remembrance , and then it was by Sale conveyed to Johnson , in which Family it is at this instant resident .

Nether-court is the last Seat in St. Laurence , which calls for our remembrance ; It was in Times of an elder Inscription wrapt up in the Inheritance of the ancient and knightly Family of Goshall of Goshall in Ash , and continued in their possession untill the reign of Henry the fourth , and then this Family going out in a Daughter and Heir , she by espousing St. Nicholas , made it come to acknowledge the Signory of that Family , and was permanent in their Name , untill the latter end of Henry the seventh , and then a Vicissitude proportionate to the former , made it parcel of the Demeasn of John Dynley of the County of Worcester Esquire , who matched with Elizabeth , Sole Heir to Roger St. Nicholas , and remained united to their Interest untill the Beginning of the reign of Q. Eliz. and then the right this Family held in it , was by Sale transplanted into Maycott ; from whom not long after the same Devolution brought it to Lucas , where after some small aboad , the Title discarded that Name , and came by purchase to own John Anthony for proprietary ; and he in our Fathers Memory passed it away to Mr .... Johnson , in whose descendants the Jurisdiction and possession of this Mansion remains still concentered .

Minster is an eminent Mannor which anciently belonged to the Abby of St. Augustins , being fenced in , and invested with several Franchises , and signal Immunities ; and when King Canutus translated the Body of St. Mildred to Canterbury , and deposited it in a peculiar Shrine in the Chappel of St. Augustin's Abby , a Draught of which is represented to the Readers View , in Mr. Somners Survey of Canterbury ; this Mannor with all those Appendages ( which like so many Limbs , made up the Body of that demeasn , which supported the Cloister of St. Mildred , as namely the Mannors , of St. Johns and St. Peters , and St. Laurence ) was translated by that Prince likewise , and linked by his Confirmation , to the Abby of St. Augustins . But how both Minster and those other Mannors abovesaid , came originally to be the ecclesiastical patrimony , shall be now my task to discover .

Egbert or Egbright the third Christian King of Kent , after Ethelbert had by a tacit Consent or Connivance , permitted one Thunner , to paddle in the Blood of his two Kinsmen ; or , as William of Malmesbury will have it , his Brothers called Ethelbert and Etheldred , persons of a pregnant ( hope who like two early Stars , as soon as they began to glitter and shine , fell suddenly into Umbrage , and were hid and eclipsed , with their own Ruines ; ) he to assoil his hands from those stains , this murder might seem to have bespattered them with , and to make some Recompence or Expiation for so barbarous and clandestine an Assassination , made an Herodian-oath , that he would give Domneva , Mother of these slaughtered Innocents , whatsoever she would demand of him ; and she , biassed and warped by the Advice of the Monkish Counsellors of those times asked of him as much Ground to endow an Abby with , as a tame Deer , which she had nourished , could Run over at a Breath : to which the King had immediately consented had not one Timor opposed this design , saying , It was too great a Boon for her to ask , or for him to grant , upon which the earth opened , ( says Thorne the fabulous Chronicler of St. Augustins ) and swallowed him up , and became both his Grave and Executioner : and the place where he sunk in , was ( as the abovesaid Author asserts ) untill the reign of Richard the second , which was the time he lived in , called Timors-leap Well . The King amazed with this stupendious Accident , assented to her Demand , and the Deer being let loose ran forty eight Ploughlands over , before it desisted .

And thus Domneva , by the Aid and Concurrence of the King , erected within the precincts of Minster , a Monastery for veiled Nuns , over which she constituted Mildred the first Abbesse , who was Daughter to Wolfchere King of Mercia : and she gathered to her Assistance an Assembly of seventy Virgins , who being defirous to renounce the World , were here vailed for Nuns , by Theodorus then Arch-bishop of Canterbury . And it seems this Mildred was a Virgin of that austere , regular , and inculpable Life , in the Vogue and verdict of those cloudy times , that her name is registred in the Calender of English Saints , and had that Title attributed to her , both whilst her Body lay at Minster , and after its translation to St. Austins . He that will survey the Bed-roll of her Miracles recorded at large ( one of which was , that when the Danes in the reign of King Etheldred , harrassed this Island , and put this Cloister at Minster into a heap of flame and ruines , her Body remained entire , amidst the Embraces and Scorchings of that devouring and ravenous Element ) let him read Thorne lately printed , and the Book called Nova Legenda Angliae ; and when he hath done , he will find that wise-men will laugh , not in Applause , but in Contempt of such religious Romances . But I return to Minster , which , as I said before , being transplanted into the patrimony of St. Augustins by Canutus Hugh , the Abbot of that Cloister , to rescue this Town from that decay which menaced it , upon the removal of the Body of St. Mildred ; in the year 1116 , obtained from Henry the first , a Charter to hold a Market weekly at his Mannor of Minster , which by disuse and intermission , shrunk into neglect and oblivion : But the greatest blow which was given to it , was the final suppression of the abovesaid Abby ; and then it was rent from that Covent , and came to own the Signory of the Crown , and was lodged in its revenue , untill the ninth year of King James , and then it was with the appendant Mannors of St. Johns , St. Peters , and St. Laurence , granted to Sir Philip Cary , and John Williams Esquire , whose Sons and Heirs Sir John Williams , and John Cary Esquire , do now divide the Inhetitance of it .

Sheriffs-court in this Parish ( but more anciently styled in old Records Sheriffs-hope ) was the possession of Reginald de Cornhill , who had the Custody of this County so long , that it was almost hereditary to him ; so that he lost his own Name , and assumed that of le Sheriff ; from whence this place borrowed the Appellation of Sheriffs-hope : but this could not so fence-in the title or chain the possession to this Family , but that about the Beginning E. the third , it came to confesse the Corbies for proprietaries ; and Robert de Corbie held it at his death , which was in the thirty ninth of Edward the third , Rot. Esc . Num 9. and had Issue Robert Corbie , in whom the Male-line was wound up , so that Joan his Daughter and Heir , by matching with Sir Nicholas Wotton , twice Lord Maior of London , annexed it to the demeasn of that Family , and from him did the title by an unintercepted Current of Descent , glide down to Thomas Lord Wotton , who setled it in marriage upon his eldest Daughter Katharine Wotton wedded to the Lord Henry Stanhop ; and she , not many years since , conveyed it by Sale to Mr. Hen. Paramour , lately deceased , Brother to Mr. Thomas Paramour now Lord of the Fee .

Monkton is a Mannor , that almost from the first Infancy of Christianity in this Island , was wrapped up in that demeasn , which was under the Signory of the Monks of Christ-church in Canterbury , and , as the Book of Christ-church informs me , was given to that Church by Ediva or Edgiva mother of Edmund , and Eadred or Edred , both Kings , in the year 961. And if you will see how it was rated in the Conquerours time , the Pages of Dooms-day Book will inform you . Monkton ( says that Register ) est Manerium Monachorum sanctae Trinitatis ( that is Christ-church , ) & est de Cibo eorum , & in tempore Edwardi Regis , se defendebat pro XX sulling is , & nunc se defendebat pro X & VIII , & est appretiatum XL lb. This upon the surrender of the patrimony of Christ-church by the Monks of that Cloister , into the hands of Henry the eighth , in the twenty ninth year of his reign , was by him not long after , enstated on his new erected Dean and Chapiter of Christchurch , and continued untill these Times , annexed to their Revenue .

Monkton had Liberty to keep a Market weekly , which was obtained by Grant from Henry the sixth , in the seventeenth year of his Rule , by John Salisbury then Prior of Christ-church .

Stonar is the last place to be taken Notice of in this Island , and although it be a Parish now without Inhabitants , and a member of the Cinque-ports belonging to Sandwich , and hath not enough left of its former Buildings , to direct you to its original Situation ; yet was it formerly a Haven-Town , and had a Fair held there yearly five Days together , before the Feast of the Translation of St. Austin which was granted to this place in the year 1104. In the reign of William Rufus , about the year 1090 , there arose a Suit in Law , between the Londoners , and the Abbot of St. Augustins , ( to whom this Mannor was given , with the residue of that revenue , which belonged to the Nunnery at Minster by King Canutus , upon the translation of the Body of St. Mildred to that Cloister ) as touching the right of the Haven of Stonar , wherein by the favourable Aid of the Prince , the Citizens ( as Spot Chronicler to that Abby reports ) had the overthrow . But the utter ruine and subversion of the Town , happened in the year 1385 , about the ninth of Richard the second , at what time the French with 18 Sail of Gallies , designing to infest the Maritine parts of Kent , landed and layed this Town of Stonar in Ashes , which ever since hath found a Sepulcher in its own Rubbish . And accuses the bad Government of Sir Simon de Burley , the then Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports , and Constable of Dover-Castle as cheif Author thereof . For when his demands were utterly refused and denyed , and not suffered to have the inestimable Ornaments and Riches of St. Thomas Beckets shrine , and the Jewels of St. Augustins removed to Dover-Castle , upon pretence of safe-keeping them there , then he grew slack and remisse in securing the Sea-Coast , and Isle of Thanett , so that when the Abbot of St. Augustins had raised a considerable Strength of his Tenants about Northburn , and , bending towards the Island , endeavoured to have passed over at Sandwich ; Sir Simon de Burley would not permit him , so that he was constrained by a long and redious March all Night , to go about by Fordwich and Sturrey into the Island , and made such vigorous resistance , that the Enemies fled to their Gallies , without doing any farther prejudice to the Islanders . Then Sir Simon procures the King to send out his Mandate under the great Seal of England , requiring all that had Lands , or belonged to Sandwich , to be Commorant there , and to find competent Arms , according to the Quality of their Estates and Faculties , upon pain of Imprisonment , and Forfeiture of all they had to loose . And sends in the Kings Name to the Abbot to remove with his Forces from Thanet , to the Guard of Sandwich , as a place of more Importance : But the Abbot ( saith Thorne that continued the Chronicle of Spot ) neither astonished with the power of the Enemy , nor seduced with the Inticements , or terrified with the Menaces of the Traytor Burley , remained in the Island to defend his own and his Tenants possessions . After this , there is nothing observable at this place , untill the Suppression of the Abby of St. Austins , and the Resignation of its Revenue , into the hands of Henry the eighth , when this Mannor with the rest of their demeasn , having improved the patrimony of the Crown , it was in the fourth and fifth of Philip and Mary , granted to Nicholas Crispe Esquire , from whom it is now descended to Mr. Nicholas Crispe his Successor , the instant Lord of the Fee .

There was in elder times a Guard assigned for the security of the passage between Sandwich and Stonar ; for I find that Ed. the second granted Will . Turke for Life in the seventh year of his reign , the passage between Stonar and Sandwich , and the Perquisites and Emoluments emergent from it ; which Grant , was in the eighteenth year of that Prince , renewed by Patent , and invested for Life , with all its adherences , in Ralph St. Laurence of the Isle of Thanet . And then again in the thirteenth year of Edward the third , I find that that Prince grants John Giboun , Marmario suo , those are the words in the Latine Record : but what they import in English , I confesse I am ignorant of the profits of the passage betwen Sandwich and Stonar , for the defence and protection of it .

I shall wind up this Discourse , with informing the Reader , that the cheifest Scenes both of War and Peace , have been laid in or neer this Island . Rutupis or Richborough on the opposite Shore , was an eminent Fortresse of the Romans , and the first presidiary Station that Antiquity represents them to have erected within Britain . When Hengist arrived with his Saxons , to support the harrassed and afflicted Britons , against the eruptions of the Picts , he first landed in this Island , and when his Forces were broken by Vortimer at the Battle of Alresford , he made Thanet his Retreat and Shelter ; When Austin the Monk arrived here in England with the light of Truth , to dispel the mists of Paganisme and Infidelity , and disseminate the Christian Religion amongst the Saxons , he found his first Reception in this Island . How often the Danes made Thanet a Winter Station for their Navies , when they made their barbarous Impressions on the Maritime Coasts of this Nation , I think our Chronicles do sufficiently inform us . And lastly , when Lewis the Dolphin was called in by the mutinous English Barons , to assert their Quarrel with additional Supplies against King John , he laid the first Scene of that War in this Island , which he afterwards scattered on the Face of this unhappy Nation .

The ETYMOLOGY , DERIVATION , and DEFINITION , of all the Hundreds and Parishes mentioned in the Map of KENT , as they are derived from some Saxon Radix . BLackheath is from a Saxon Radix . Bleach is turned into Bleke , which suites with the high open and cold ●ituation of the Heath , which gives name to the Hundred . Bromley in old English from Brome and Leah , which is Pasture now called Ley , and is the same with Bromefield . Lesnes , at present called Lezen denoteth Meadow-Pasture in old English . Axtane suitable to the nature of Soyl , full of loose Stones , which yet is covered with Okes , Ake in Saxon being an Oke . Rookesley , in old Eng. a Pasture in which Rooks do Breed , as here they do frequently . Codsheath , that is , the Heath on the hanging hill , commonly called Godsheath . Westerham , that is , The Town standing in the Western Limits of the Shire . Somerden , that is , The fruitfull green hill in the Valley . Hoo and sometimes written How , is of Saxon derivation from their word Hougen , which signifieth high , and sorteth well with the Situation of this Hundred that is mounted aloft , and proudly overlooketh both the Rivers of Thames and Medway . Shamell , written in Saxon , Scamell , is deduced from Schamell in Saxon a Stool , and it is possible there was much Fish and Flesh exposed here to Sale on such Seats . Toltingtrough , written in Dooms-day Book , Toltentreu , derived from the Saxon word Tealtrean to Totter , and Treow a Tree : the many Hills and Vallies in this Hundred making it seem as if the Trees tottered , Chetham in old English written Cetteham ; The dwelling , placed on a rising hill . Wrotham , that is Wortham , so named from the plenty of worts , that is , Holsome hearbs and plants growing there . Lark-field , in Saxon written Learchenfeud , that is , the Archersfield . Twyford , from the Situation within the two Rivers that insulate the whole Hundred well-neer . Watchlingstone , that is , from the plenty of whetstone digged in this Hundred . Brenchley , that is , Pastures full of well branched Hedg-towes in old writing called Branchesley . Marden in old time written Mireden : it broke well that name , for it stands in a Myry dirty Den. Eyhorne formerly written Heihorne , and signifies the turning of water . Maidston , in the Romans time was called in the Notitia , Medio vagum , in the S●xons Medwegston , from the River supposed to run through the midst of the Province . Milton , truely Midleton ( so the Saxons rendred it , and truely too ) because it lieth towards the midst of the County as it runs in longitude . Tenham written anciently Teinham that is , the Town within the inclosure : from Tein , Septum ; & Ham , Vicus seu Oppidum . Feversham , as unhealthy as Tenham , carries the very Tokens of it in the name . Boughton hath the Radix of the wooddiness of the down or hill under which it standeth : and this definition may suffice for all other of this Name elsewhere in Kent . Felborough gives name to an Hundred ; but where the place is cannot I yet discover : near to Chilham it must be , and if I should shew you my conceipt of the place , you might haply descant as much on me , as I do on it . Yet in regard the Barrow or grave where J●l●us Laberius , Fieldmarshall to Julius Caesar , is yet remaining in view there , it were no great torture to fetch it from thence : for Barrow is used for a grave or little hill where burials have been . Chart-magna was anciently granted by a Saxon King to Christ-Church in Canterbury : and as we call places held by such devise , Bocland ; so came this to be called Chart , and Cert in Saxon. Wye so named from the water springing there and falling into Stour a greater River . Bircholt , that is , The Birchen wood , Holt is the Saxon word for wood . Calehill written Ceale hill from its naked and bleak Situation : Ceale in Saxon signifying Callow . Ashford , Originally Eshetisford implying the great plenty of Ashen Trees growing about the Forde . Blackborne is of as easie definition as Blackwater , the colour of that Element giveth Addition to both . Tenterden ; see more of it in the Parishes . Barkley , that is , the Pasture planted with Trees yielding Bark for Tanne , the Teutonicks or Saxons call a Tanner , Barker . Cranebroke so called from the frequent resort of Cranes to the Brook there . Rolvinden the Valley which rowls in and out . Selbrittonden , that is , the Brittons woddy Den. East and West Bernfield may either seem to be derived from Barren , which in English signifies likewise Barren , contracted into Bern ; or else from Beorn , which in Saxon signifies a Noble man : and it is possible the custody of these two Hundreds was committed to one of that Rank . Newynden , that is , the New Town in the Den. It being risen forth of the Ashes of Anderida a Roman City thereby called by the Saxons Andredswald . Ringesloe corruptly for Kingesloe the Kingshill . Blenegate , that is , the way to the Blene or Common of Hearbage . Whetestable , that is , a stedfast place for wheat . Westgate , that is , the West Gate of the City of Canterbury . Downhamford , that is , a Ham upon a descent of an Hill by a Forde . Preston , that is , The Priest-Town . Bridge , that is , The Town where there is a Bridge . Kinghamford , that is , now called Kingston near Berham down that belonged to the King , and all about it to the Arch-Bishop and Church . Sea-Salter from its situation on the Salt Sea . Wingham from its position between two Rivolets that incompass the Eastern part of it like wings . Corniloe , that is , The Corney Hill , loe , that is , Cumulus . Bewsborough now called Bewfield and Whitfield , from the French word Beau for white and fair . Longport , that is , Long Town by Canterbury toward Sandwich . Folkestone , that is , a Town Populous and full of Folk , so was this , for in it there were four Churches a Monastery and some out-Chappels . Lovingboroe however different in Orthography . This name be now from Lyminge it must be found there or no where else . And because Opinion without proof is but discourse and descant ; Harken to the Evidence at Lyminge , which Edmerus a Monk of Christ-Church in Canterbury calls Lovingborough and the Records of that Church . Nonnesborough was the first house of vailed Virgins in England called Nunnes ; and though the name of Lyminge was forlet and forlorn , and Nuneborough passed currant ; and in short space , one liquid being changed into another , N. into L. Loneburgh and that by a second mutation in Lovingborough you have the disquisition and true result . Stowting so called from some old Fortresses and Roman ramperes there . Heane in British signifieth old . Birchholt Franchise or Barony is by that addition known from a former Hundred , where the name is Etymologized . Street , that is , A place where the Romans Praetorian way lay from Lyme to Cant. now called Sonestreets began ; in place of which we call the viaregia . Worth signifies a place made strong and Teneable by fortifying . Ham , that is , Home , Capitale Messuagium . Langport ut ante . St. Martine , A place of Account heretofore by Romeney . New Church , that is , of later foundation . Aloe bridge written antiently Alulphs bridg , that is , the Bridge of Alulphus some Saxon. Oxney the Oxens water . Ackridg , that is , The Ridg of Okes which in old English are called Akes . Addesham from the old English and , that is , the old ham , and so is this in Records . Addington of like Radix ; onely Ham implies an open place , as Ton an inclosed one , from Tinan the Saxon word to hedg and inviron . Alkham written Healkham , the Town in a Corner , from Healk in Saxon a Corner . Allington is derived from the River Aigle , contracted into Ayl . Aldington : here antiquity gives the Name , for Aud we say Ald , and now call it it Allington . Allhallows , from the Churches Dedication which some call All Saints : but the first is in the Hundred of Hoo , the second in Shepey . Apuldore , written in Saxon Records Apuldre , that is , the Town fruitful in Apples . Ash from that kind of Tree . Ashhurst , a wood of Ashes . Aylesford , from the Ayl River so called after past Maidstone which imparteth its name to . Aynesford , originally written Anglesford , The English mens Ford. Badelesemere , that is in old Eng. the Circuite of Bad unfertile Pasture . Badchild , written in Saxon Bekenceld , the chill or unhealthy water . Bapchild , in Saxon Beckchill , the unhealthy chill water , a small stream they called a Becks and Chill implieth cold and Aguish Berfreiston , the Friers Court-Town . Bereham ; derived from Bere a Court , and Ham , a Village . Barming , woody Pasture , or rather Berme-Ing , the moist pasture , Berme importing moisture . Becksbourne , for distinction from the other Bornes , taking its Name from the Family of Beke that held part , & sometime call'd Livingebourn from Arch-Bishop Livinus , that built a Pallace here for himself and his Successors . Beausfield , from the fair open prospect which it hath to Sea and Land . Bekenham , from the Beke or small stream arising there . Belsington , The fair Prospect , or rather , the Town by the watry pasture , from Eyle in Saxon importing watry . Benenden from the Saxon word Binan within or two-fold . The Parish hath several Dennes in it . Bethersden , written anciently Beatrixden , that is , Beatrix's Valley . Betshanger , originally Vitalshanger , from one Vitalis owner of it near the conquest ; hanger , because seated on the hanging hill . Berested I find it near the Conquest to be of the possession of the Crevequers of Leeds and I might deduce it from Bury or Bere , old English for the Lords Court or dwelling , and then it fignifies the place where the Court is , as Berewick is the way to the Court ; if you consider the Soil , you may call it Barren Sted . Bexley , contracted from Bekesley , Beke signifies a stream , and Ley pasture . Bicnor , and Bicknore , from Becn and Nor , Becn signifies a sign or symboll , and Nor the North , from whence the Saxon word Beacnan to beckon or give some sign . Becn signum seu symbolum Becnan signum dare . Bidborough , that is , by the Borough of Tunbridge , called Southborough , the Saxon th being turned into d. Biddenden , in old English Bithanden , by the Denns , for so is the situation of it in the weld of Kent . Birchington , The Town where the Birch grew . Berling , that is , The Court lying on the Pasture . Bishop borne , the Borne belonging to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury . Blackmanstone , written Bleachmanstone , that is , Man 's bleak Town . Bobbing , it is probable is deduced from an old Dutch word called Boban , which signifies to extend or stretch it self out , and Ing a Meadow . Bocton , that is , the Town held by Book or Charter . ( Boughton and Malherbe ) ill Pasturage . Bocton ( that is , Boughton ) Aloulph from Alulphus , a Saxon owner of it . Bonington , the Town bounded with the Lawnds , from the Saxon word Bonna importing the Bound . Borden , from the Breed of wild Bores on the Chesnut hills thereby . Burham , the Ham by or in the Borough . Burmarsh , written anciently Burghmersh , the Marsh by the Borough . Borefield , The Bores field . Boughton Montchelsey , from Montchensy , the old Lord of Swanscomb was Lord of this place also . Boxley , that is , the Pastures full of Box trees . Brabourne , from Bradebourne , East and West , the Broad Bourne . Bradhurst , that is , the Broad Wood. Bradsted , vel locus latus . Bredgare , the broad way . Brenset , from the brakish and brinish water . Brooke , from its being seated near some Brook . Brookeland , that is , Land by the Brook or water Course . Bromefield , where the Fields are troubled with Broome . Buckland , that is , Bockland : Boc is a Book or Charter by which Land was granted . Canterbury , written Canterberig . The Kentish-Men's Berg or Fortress . Capell , that is , de Capello . Chart-ham , that is , the Town held by Charter . Great and Little Chart , written anciently Cert , which in Saxon signifies a Charter . Chalk de Calce . Challoke , that is , De Quercis Nudatis . Charleton , that is , Ceorlton in Saxon , The Grange or lusty Husband-mans Town : from this Radix , Churle cometh . Charing written anciently Cering extracted from the Saxon word Cerran to turn , there being divers wents and wandrings at this place . Chellesfield , The Chill and cold place . Chepsted , that is , the Market place Locus nundinarius . Cheriton , that is , from the growth of Cheries there . Chevening , from its lying under that great hill which runneth to Guldeford in Surrey which our Ancestors called Chevins . Chidding stone in Sax. Ced-ingston , that is , the Town on the Brow of the Lawnd : Ced in Saxon importing the Brow or Descent : Or , it is possible from Cedwine , some Saxon Owner . Chilham ; Some have distilled something of Julius Caesar's name , conjecturing it to have been called Juliham for Julius-ham . Indeed there he lost Julius Laberius Durus Camp-Master , or Field Marshal . Chillenden , so called from the cold place it stands in . Chiselhurst , from the growth of wood so called . Chistelet in the infancy of Christianity was given to the Church of Canterbury by the Name of Cistelet , that is , the chosen lot or portion . Cliffe from the situation upon the Cliffe in the Hundred of Hoo , famous for a Synod held there . Cobeham Hall and Cobeham Town anciently Coptham , that is , the Head-Village : from the Saxon Copt an Head . Coldred a village that standeth high and Bleak in East Kent and may brooke the name of Cold-rode . Cosmus Bleane . The Churches Dedication is to St. Cosmus and Damian . Cowden from that sort of Beast called Cows which are in other places called Keyne . Coudham , The Cold-ham near Baston & Down . Cowling The Cow's pasture . Crayford in old Deeds Crecanford from the Ford or River Crecan which gives name to St. Mary Crey . Pauls Crey , North Crey ( and Footes Crey , from one Votes that held it in the Conqueror's time . ) Cucston , in Doomsday Book written Cocleston . Coclecoe is an old priviledge to be free from answering in a place , forrain to where he inhabits . Crundall The Dale under a high-Crown'd hill . Darent named so from the River on which it stands . Dartford contracted from Darentford on which it standeth . Davington or Devington , extracted from Dew which imports Dew or Moisture , Ing a Meadow , and Ton a Town . Deale sometime written Dale , shews the situation to be in a plain valley . Denton the Town in a Descending place . Deptford , that is , the Deep Ford. Detling , that is , lying deep under a high hill . Dimchurch , written anciently Demchurch , that is , the Church upon the Dam. Ditton from Dike which in old time was written Dyghton , and from thence the contract , Ditton . Dodington , The Town on the Sedgy Lawnd from Dod that signifies the Sedge on the Bank of a River ; or rather , from Duda some Saxon Owner . Dover ; by the Romans called Dubris , from the British word Dufir , which signifies steep . Downe , a small Town high situated . Eastbridge , that is from its Easterne standing in the Marsh . East-Church in Shepey , from the like Situation . Eastwell from the low situation in a bottome . pag. 354. Edenbridge , that is , from the Bridge and River Eden . Eden , so called quasi Aqua , i.e. Ey Saxonicè , & vallis i. e. Den , The Riveror water in the Den or Valley . Egarton , a Parish bleakly & sharply situated . Eigtham called so from the eight Hams or Boroughs contained within it . pag. 140. Elmesley , The Elmey pasture . Elmested , denominated from Elmested , locus . Elmeston , The Town among Elmes . Elham or Helham , quia inter Colles locatur . Eltham , Eldham , the old Town . Eseling , quia in Orienti parte jacet Estling . Ewell , the watery bottome . Eythorne , olim scribitur Eigthorne , The eighth Thorn . Fairefield , in the Marsh de bello Campo . East and West Farleigh were written Ferneleigh from Ferne Ferne , and leigh a Shelter or Covert . Farneburgh , from the Soil about it yielding Fearne and Brakes . Farmyngham , The ancient name is Fremingham from the stream running through it as Fremington in Devon , from a small stream running through it into Tawe . Faulkeham and Falkeham villa populi . Fleet both North and South , that is , from the Thames that sometime came up . Fordwich , that is , the crooked turning river . Frensted , and vulgarly Wrensted , Freons-sted the Freemans place . Frittenden , derived from Frith , a Chace ; and Den , a valley . Frensbery anciently Freons-Berig the Freeman's Court. Gillingham , derived from some Gill or Rivolet passing through it , and emptying it self into the Medway . Godmersham Land given to God , and that Church , bounded by Meres . Goodneston , that is , a good fertile Town and Country . Gowdhurst , anciently and properly writtten Goodhurst , The good Wood. Graveney , expounded by the ensuing Town : Gravesend quasi Grevesend the Limits of the Liberty . The other , expressing a moist and watery place of like Liberty . Grainey Isle , from Corn & Greyn so called . Greenwich the turning of the River through the Green Meadows . Grome , the Bridge over a small stream called Grome , and by it a Mansion house so called . Guston , that is , Goston , where Goss and Furres did grow . Hadlow from Heafod , contracted into Head and Low , importing the small Head or knob , Cumulus in Latin . Hakington now called St. Stephens , the land proportioned into Hages . Haga in Saxon denoting a Circle . High Halden written anciently Healden , that is , the Healthful Valley . Halling written Healling Heathful Meadow . Halsted , that is , Hail or Healthy place . Halstow written Haly stow , Holy place . High Halistow , Holy place given to provide Service Books for Christ-Church , in the Saxons time . Ham by Sandwich Signifie small Homes or dwellings . Ham by Warhorne Signifie small Homes or dwellings . Harbledown , that is , The Hill of pasture and Herbage . Upper and Nether Hardres are derived from Erd the earth , and Reys little Rils or Brooks . Haretsham written Heretsham , the Lords Town . Hartie Island lying in the Form of a Hart Insula Cordis vel Cordialis : or rather from Herets-Ey , in Saxon the Lords water . Hartley , Herets-ley , the Lords pasture . Hartlip , Labium Cordis , Hastingleigh is derived from two Saxon words , Heastan which signifies the Highest , and Leah , campus or Locus . Hawkhurst , that is , Hawkeswodd where Hawkes had Eyeries . Hawking , that is , Hawks Meadow . Hawtes Bourne : The Hawtes after Shelving owed Bourne . Hearne , so called from the Breeding of Hernes there . Bede translates Herne by Casa , as if Herne signified a House . Hearnehill distinguished from the former by the situation under Boughton hill . Hedcorne famous for the best and chief Corn and biggest Poultry . Heys yielding plenty of Hay . Hever deduced from two Saxon words , Hey water , and Over signifying some passage over the water . Higham , that is , Highly seated . Hinxell , that is , Hynds-hill . Hythe , that is , Portus , a Haven for Ships to arrive in . Hollingbourne , the Bourn rising in the hole . Hoo from Hough in Saxon , high . Hope in Romney Marsh Ecclesia spei . Horsmanden , The Horsmans Valley . Horton Kirkby , that is , by the Church . Horton by Chartham . Horton Monkes , the Durty Town , from Hore which imports any Filth . Hoathfield , that is , Heathfield . Hougham , The high Town . Hucking anciently Houge-Ing , the high Lawnd . Hunton or Huntington , The Town to hunt in from the Saxon word Huntan . Ifield written Eyfeld , that is , the watry Field Ightham , See Eigtham . Ickham , anciently Yeockham , the Town of arable Land , from Yeock an Acre of Land . Ivychurch , written anciently Eyvey Church , that is , the Church by the water . Iwade vulgarly , originally Eywade , The passage over the water . Kempsing , from some Camp or Fortress . Kenardington , from Kein-Erd-ington , no Earth in the Town , from the Moorish Situation . It is probable likewise it might derive its Name from one Cyneward a Saxon Owner . Kennington from Cinningston , the Kings Town . Keston , Keysers Town by Baston the old Roman Colonie . Kingsdown by Farningham . Kingdowne by Milsted , The Kings Hill . Kingston by Barham , The Kings Town . Kingsnoth , the Kings portion , from Snoth or Sneath , which in Saxon signifies portion . Knolton , the Town on the Knoll of an Hill . Lamberhurst , The wood of Lambert . Langdon East and West , the long down or hill . Langley , the long pasture . Lang Port , long Town or Port. Laybourne , the Pasture Bourn , Aqua in Palude . Lee , i. e. Leigh , in old English , Lega in old Lat. a sheltry place . Leeds , written Leods Castle : The Peoples Castle , that is , something belonging to the people . Lenham , a Station called by the Romans Duro-Lenum , the water of Lenum . Leigh by Tunbridge , under the hill . Leigh by Greenwich , under the shelter . Leisdown , the Pasture Down . Leveland , written in Saxon Leofland , that is , Terra Dilecta . Lewisham , the watery Town . Lydd , from the Saxon Lida , denoting the Shore . Lyme , called by the Romans Limen , that is , Portus , for they landed here at there second attempt . Lyminge , written Limening , The Pasture by Limen . Lingsted , the place where Fern grows , Ling in Saxon denoting Fern. Linton or Lington , The Ferny Town . Little Pourne , to distinguish from Beaks-Bourne , and the other Towns of that Termination upon the Bourn . Longfield , from the long extent of it . Lose , written in ancient Saxon Hlose , which signifies Lot , being indeed allotted by Donation to the Priory of Christ-church . Luddenham , written anciently Loudenham . Luddesdown , anciently Leodsdun , the peoples hill , from the Leod the People . Lillingston , written Lollingston , from the Purling stream running by it . Maidston , written anciently Medwegston , that is , Medways Town . Malling , defined by Mr. Lambert to come from the rising of water springs there called Meolling . Maplescombe , that is , the valley of Maple trees . Marden vide ante inter Hundredor . nomina . Margate in Thanet , written Meregate , that is , the way to the Sea , from Mere the Sea , and Gate a way or passage . St. Margarets near Dartford . St. Margarets near Rochester . St. Margarets Atte Cliffe near Dover . St. Marey , On Crey River . St. Maries , in the Hundred of How . Marsham the Town in the way to the Mersh . St. Martines by Canterbury . Mepeham , written in Saxon Meopen-Ham , that is , the solitary Village . Mereworth , the fortified place , derived from Worth a Fortress , and Mere a Fence or Boundary . Mersham the same as Marsham . Mers-ton , an Obscure place above Frendbury , the Name is taken from its nearness to the Mersh . Midley , that is , in the middle of the pasture a Parish and Church decayed and now sine Cura . Milsted , the place near some Mill. Milton quasi Midleton , the Town near the mid County . Milton juxta Gravesend , in the mid way between the two Mannors of Parock and Gravesend . Milton by Canterbury , that is , from a Mill there placed . Minster both in Shepey and Thanet have their Names from the Monasteries that were there . Moldash , a mould on which Ashen Trees take growth . Mongeham magna & parva , i.e. Monks ham . Monkton in Thanet , the Monks Town . Moreston , that is , the Town by the Moor. Mottingham , the Town proudly seated , it is derived from Mod in Saxon Proud or lofty . Nackington or Nattington , the Town on the Neck of the Lawnd . Nettlested , that is , the place where Nettles grow . Newenham in the way between Ospringe and Hollingborne , so called in respect of some old Station thereby , it may be now not known . Newchurch in Romney Marsh , later built then the neighbour Churches . Newenden , a new planted Town by Anderida , an old Roman Station and City . Newington by Sittingborne , so called because risen up since the Romans Colony and Station near Key-Coll-hill , that is , Caesars Colony in this Parish . Newington near Hyth in like respect as the former , because of some old Station of the Romans at Castel-hill : where and near the shorn Cliffe , Roman Coine hath been found , saith Leland . Nokeholt , that is , a Corner in the wood , in old English Noke is a Corner . Nonington , belonging to Nuns . North-Bourne , that is , The North Brook . Norton , in respect of situation in opposition to Sutton , that is , Southton . Nutsted , that is , Nucum locus . The Nut-Country . Offaham , as derived from some Donation of K. Offa. Orgars wick in Romney Marsh : Wicke signifies in old English a way , and sometimes vicus , and Orgarus some Saxon Owner . Orlanston sive Orlaston , from Over contracted into Orelanston , that is , the Town above the Mersh . Orpinton , is much changed in the present Orthography ; for Dorpendun was the old name partly British and Saxon , signifying the head of the water rising under the Hill there . Ospringe , so called from that small Ouse or Brook springing there . Ostenhanger , the Viscount Strangfords house so called from the Eastern situation : Oast is East , and hanger represented a hill of easie assent . Otteham , from the growth of Oates there . Ottford , that is , the River where Otters Breed . Ottringdun , The hill and pasture fit for the sowing of Oates . Oure by Davington , so named from its situation over the Brook betwixt it and Feversham , contracted into Ore . Oxney , The Oxens Island . Padlesworth , The Court seated in a Ground infested with Frogs , from Padle in Saxon a Frog . Pauls Crey , from the Churches Dedication , and the River Crey on which it stands . Patricks Bourne , from the Churches Dedication . Peckham East and West , written Pekenham , that is , the Town on the Peak or Top of the Hill . Penshurst , the head of the wood Brit. & Sax. Pepenbury , commonly Penbury , from its position being the Head of the Bury . Petham , the Town lying low in a pet or pit . Fluckley , the Pasture made by grubbing up the wood . Plumsted , the place where plenty of plums grew . Preston juxta Wingham , the Priest-Town . Preston in Ayle-ford , a Mansion of the Friers . Queenborough , A Town incorporated and a Castel builded by King Edward the third , for Queen Philippa Daughter to the Earl of Henault . Radigunds Abbey aliàs Broadsole , a Monastery founded near a broad soal or pond . Rayneham , the Town over the Reys or Water-tydes , and inlets for passage as St. Mary Over Rey in Southwark . Reculver , is that Regulbium mentioned by Pancirollus in his Notitia Provinciarum : one of the Stations of the Count of the Saxon Shore . River in the valley near Dover , so called of the River . Richborough , called Ricksborough in old Deeds , that is , the Kingdomes Borough , from Rick a Kingdome , and Burgh a Borough or fenced place in Saxon. Rydlingswould , The Down where there was pasture for Horse . Ridley , the Horse pasture . Reyesh , the Ashen water , Rey is a little Rill . Rippeley , the Pasture bank . River-hill by Sevenoke , full of Ripes and Springs . Rochester , Roffanceaster , in the Romans time built by one Roffe saith Bede . Rodemarsham , the Roadway into the Marsh , Rokeing , The pasture frequented with Rooks. Rolvenden , contracted into Romden , and Rounden , so named from the rowling Valley . Romeney , the Romans water , that before the inclosure of Romney Marsh was Navigable up to the Foot of Limen-hill and Stutfall Castle . Saltwood , so called of its bordering on the Salt Sea . Sandhurst , that is , the wood on the Sandy Soyle . Sandwiche , Wiche is a turning River in a Sandy soile . Seale written Zeal , and Dela Zeal , because the Pilgrims used here to lodge , who went to visit St. Thomas Beckets Shrine at Canterbury . Selling , from Sel which signifies Timber , and Ing a Meadow or low Ground as Ingulphus useth it . Selling juxta Feversham , the same . Sevenoke , that is , from seven great Oakes that grew there . Sevington , that is , the Town with sewing ponds . Shadoxhurst , that is the hurst of shady Okes. Shelvich , from its being seated or standing on the Shelvingwich , which signifies some turning Brook or River . Shepey Island , so named from the Breeding and Feeding Sheep . Sholedon , the Hill upon the Shole or Shore . Shorne , in old English Sorne , made shorne or naked . Shoreham , not derived from the Sea-shore as that in Sussey : but from Sore Bare . Siberts would , Siberts Sheep walk . Sittingbourne , that is , from a bubling and boyling like Bourne arising there . Smerdene , the Fat-Valley . Smede and Smeth , in old English , a smooth plain field . Snave , A Trench or Bank artificially cut . Snargate , Snare-Gate , the way cut , from the Saxon word Snere , cut . Snothland , vulgarly Snodland , lying with a snout into Medway . Spelehurst , the Learned Wood. Stalesfield , the Field on the Bank from Stey in Saxon , a Bank . Stanford , that is , Stony Brook . Stanstead , that is , Stony place . Staplehurst , Staple signifies firm sure and certain , and Hurst a Wood. Steling , from Steal-Ing , the Stall on the Lawnds . St. Stephens , by Canterbury . Stoake in Hoo , is Locus in Latin as Sted , and gives termination to many places . Stodemersh , the Mersh devoted to the Breeding of Mares : Stode in Saxon being a Mare . Stockbery , that is , the Woody Bery , or Fortress in the Woody place : for here was a Castlelet of the Criols heretofore . Stone , Ad lapidem , here was an ancient Castle of the Northwoods in a stony Country . Stone by Ospringe , is so derived from the soil . Stoner more aptly Stonoore , an ancient place on the North-side of Sandwich Haven where a Town had been . Nore , i.e. North. Stowting , a Town where the Romans made some place of strength near the forced way from Lyme to Canterbury . Stourmouth , that is , Ostium fluvii de Stour . Stroud , the same with Strand , that is , the Bank of Medway against Rochester . Stoutfall Castle , a work of the Romans under Lymehill , invironing ten Acres of ground , a strong piece in our Ancestors Opinion , which from thence and the inclosure the name was imposed ; Stout strong , and Faud turned into Fauld a Fold , contracted since into Fall . Sondridg , so called from the Ridg of Sand lying there . Sutton , South-Town . Sutton Valence , because Valence E. of Pembroke was Lord of it . Swale Cliffe , so called because of its standing near the water Swale . Swainscombe , a valley , into which the course of the Thames came up , and Swaine of Denmark wintred his Fleet there . Swinefield , the Field where Swine did frequent ; like Swinested , Swinesey , Swinbroke , and Swineford . Shinglewell by Northfleet , a low soil stony and full of Shingle ; or else from the use of wood instead of tyle which we call shingle . Tanington , written anciently Thanington , that is , the Thanes or Lords Town on the Pasture . Teinham , the inclosed Village , from Tein , septum . Tenderden , or rather Thein-warden , the Thanes Guard in the Valley . Terston , from the Town 's being torn and divided by the Medway . Thurnham , Thurn in Saxon is a Tower , according to Ortelius , and here in this Parish stood Goodward-Castle high upon the Top of Thurnham-hill . Throwley , in Saxon a passing through pasture Grounds . Tilmanston , a soil imployed to Tillage . Tong , a Parish , and a decayed Castle , of old called Thong , as if ambuted by lines which the Saxons called Thongs . Trottescliffe , vulgò Troseley , it lieth under a steep hill , and takes its termination from Trottes to vex , and Cliff an hill . Tudeley , and sometime Twidley , two pastures . Tunbridg , from the many Bridges in the Town , there being seven in the high Roade through the Town . Tunstall , written Dunstall , that is , the place upon the Hill . Vlcombe , and sometime I have seen it written Welcombe , it is holden of the honour of Augie or Ew , and signifies the old valley . Upchurch near Rainham , so named from the Churches standing high upon the side of an hill . Upnore , a Castle upon the Nore or North-side of Medway , below Frendsbery . Warehorne , from Hurne a Corner , and Ware a place . Waldershire , that is , pertaking of the Wald , that is , wood Country . Walmer , the Wall against the Sea . Waltham , the Ham in the Wood. St. Werburgh , the dedication of Hoo Church . Weredon , the hill in Shepey by the Sea Ware . Watrinbury , the Courton the watry Meadow . West-Bere , the West Court or Bergh . West-Cliffe , near Dover Castle , the West Cliffe . West-Hith , the West Port , Hith is Portus . Westerham , the farthest Western Town in Kent . Westwell , the Town of Situation in a low West place . Whetestable , the Staple place for Wheat . Wichling , that is , the crooked or winding Pasture . Wickham , that is , Domus super vicum West . Wickham East , the same from Wic the high way . Wickham-Breus , vulgo Brooks , is so called from the liquidness of the place , and the Lord Breux of Brember Lord of it . Willesborough , that is , the Borough in a low place . Welmington , so called , in Saxon Wells are called Bottomes . Wemings Would , the Sheperdesses Woulds . Wingham , so named of the two Rivers which inclaspe it like two wings Witersham , that is , Waterisham in the Isle of Oxeney . Wouldham , that is , the Town under the Would . Wolwich , written anciently Woldwich , that is the Turning River under the Would . Woodchurch , that is , the Church in the Wood. Winsborough , that is , Wodensborough , from Woden the Saxons Mercury to whose worship they dedicated one day in the week from thence called Wednesday . Wotton , quia Boscatus , Woddeton . Werth , the Court. Wormshill , Mons virmium . Wrotham secund. G. Lambert , the Town of Worts . Wye , so called from the water Wy , being a Name given to many places in respect of some stream or Brook , in British it signifies Vaga or wandring . Yalding , Ing saith Ingulphus signifies a Meadow or low ground , it is written anciently Ealding , that is , the ancient Meadow .

In the Letter L , Lidden is omitted , which signifies the Valley near the Shore , Lida in Saxon signifies Littus , and Den a Valley .

FINIS .

depiction of scale The scale of English myles
map of Kent A NEW DESCRIPTION OF KENT

Divided into the fyue Lathes therof and subdivided into Baylwickes : and Hundredes ; with the parishe Churches conteyned within euery of the same Hundredes . All which , for better vnderstandinge , are distinguished with varyetye of coloures . Comprehendinge aswell the Cities : the vsuall Market townes : and the Portes , with their members lying in Kent : As also such of the howses of the Nobylitie and Gentrye as the Plott coulde conueniently receaue . Wherin moreover the nature of the soyle ( whether playne , Hyllye , or wooddye ) is more diligentlye observed : and the tractes of Ryuers 〈…〉